Hours before it meets Real Madrid for an exhibition match in the United States, it appears that Barcelona is close to its most important acquisition this summer – even more so than Robert Lewandowski. The Spanish journalist Gerard Romero reported today (Saturday) that the Catalans reached an agreement in principle with Sevilla and the transfer of the stopper Jules Conde is “99% closed”.
Although Chelsea offered a significantly higher amount, both in terms of the purchase fee for Sevilla and the salary conditions it promised to Conde, the Frenchman prefers to play in Barca and the professional manager Matteo Allman accelerated the contacts with the Andalusians in the last day, when the official offer of the Spanish runner-up will be submitted in the coming hours and is expected to be answered positively by Seville. “Barcelona will officially announce the signing between today and tomorrow,” added Romero firmly.
Those who will most likely be affected by the deal, if and when it goes through, are Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso. The Chelsea players, who were marked as candidates to leave the Blues and strengthen Barcelona, may not receive the blessing of the road for this following Conde’s “kidnapping”, when coach Thomas Tuchel also expressed anger at Barcelona’s conduct.
Early tomorrow morning (5:55), as mentioned, the Blaugrana will advance to a friendly Clasico against European champions Real Madrid, which will be an unofficial debut for Lewandowski. The Polish striker is expected to win the first minutes with the Barcelona shirt and Gerard Pique should also play, after receiving the medical exemption today.