Wolves’ on-loan winger Francisco Trincao could potentially head to Leeds United as part of a swap deal involving Raphinha.
Mundo Deportivo have claimed that the Catalan giants are ready to use the 22-year-old as a potential makeweight to land the Brazilian this summer.
Raphinha is supposedly a player Barca are really keen on, with Xavi reportedly already endorsing the transfer.
And it’s been reported the star wants the move.
But it’s potentially complicated given Barca’s well documented financial problems.
But the club will apparently seek to try and use Trincao to get Raphinha cheaper. The South American supposedly has a release clause of £70 million (UOL).
Trincao, of course, is on a season-long loan at Wolves right now and ironically, just had his best game of the season in the 3-2 defeat to Leeds before the international break.
This is an interesting claim, and comes amid suggestions that Barcelona will also try to use Trincao to try and sign Adama Traore permanently.
Barca have an option to buy Traore for around £29 million.
But they are not in a position to afford that, and there has been talk of a swap deal involving the two players.
Last night, Joan Laporta did actually say that could be ‘a very good option’.
Obviously though that would entirely depend on Trincao wanting to stay put at Wolves.
Barcelona clearly see Francisco Trincao as a bargaining tool
So Barca are now looking to use Trincao to potentially land Raphinha, as well as Traore.
It’s clear they don’t see Trincao as somebody who can return to the Nou Camp and have a role to play.
It will be fascinating to see what happens with him this summer.
It’s very possible that if Barca went ahead and used Trincao to get Raphinha, then they would no longer want Traore.
Raphinha plays on the right wing, and it’s difficult to see the club having need for both.