Reports suggest today that the Barcelona revamp is in full swing with interest forthcoming for Olympique Lyonnais star Tanguy Ndombélé.
Whilst the France midfielder is in hot demand from clubs across Europe, Diario Sport suggests that Ndombélé has become the Blaugrana’s ‘objective’, with a €60million price tag said to be slapped on the talented player. Though they sit proudly atop La Liga, it's apparent that a good portion of the Barca squad are no longer evergreen.
The Manchester Evening News have previously reported that incumbent Premier League champions Manchester City have been weighing up a £40 million bid for the 21-year-old midfielder, just a season after he first arrived at Lyon, and mere months after making his tenancy permanent in a mere €8million (£7.13million) deal with former side Amiens, signing a five-year deal intended to keep him at the Groupama until 2023.
Ndombélé featured in that humbling defeat of the Cityzens at the Etihad back in September and it’s obvious that the dominant midfielder left an impression, as well as the three points for Les Gones to steal a march in their Champions League group. The result is so far the only blot in City’s season.
Ndombélé was recently rewarded with a call-up to the France team, and made his debut against Iceland at the beginning of October. He was instrumental in Lyon’s success in Ligue 1 last year featuring in all by two of the fixtures he was available for, and helping to achieve a coveted European spot by beating rivals Olympique de Marseille to the chase.
The €10million (€2million for the initial loan fee) paid to Les Licornes retrospectively looks pure peanuts.
The new interest from Spain in Ndombélé may have further repercussions outside of Lyon and Manchester, by scuppering Adrien Rabiot’s speculated intentions to transfer over to Barcelona.
Yesterday it was reported that Paris Saint-Germain’s Rabiot has agreed to move to the Nou Camp at the end of the season after consistently failing to agree terms to extend his contract with Les Parisiens.
Playing in the same position as Ndombélé and exhibiting similar qualities to his compatriot Ndombélé may prove detrimental for a move to either player. It would not be beyond the realms of plausibility to suggest that Barcelona and City could be in a rampant ménage à trois with either of the French pair.
City are ideally looking for a replacement for the peerless Fernandinho. Though the Brazilian has provided over five years of exceptional service in Manchester - and been rewarded with a brace of Premier League titles for his troubles, he is be 34 years-old by this season’s culmination.
Ndombélé and Rabiot - at just 21 and 23, respectively - represent viable long-term options, in a less frantic France market fresh for reaping. This could be the transfer saga to keep a beady eye on come January.
💥 NDombèlé, nuevo objetivo del Barça
🗣 @Laia_Cervello explica el papel del francés en el culebrón Rabiot - DeJong