Barcelona could reportedly be open to offering around €15 million to secure the services of 26-year-old Spanish international Adama Traore.
According to a report by Santi Ovalle on Spanish outlet Que T’hi Jugues, Adama Traore might still have hopes of staying put at Barcelona beyond the summer transfer window. The Catalan giants are open to signing the 26-year-old Spanish international if the price tag does not exceed €15 million. The added caveat is that Traore will become a target if Ousmane Dembele departs from Camp Nou.
Adama spent most of his formative years in Barcelona’s famous academy La Masia. But after turning professional by playing for Barcelona, opportunities with the first team evaded him. Traore subsequently moved to England, joining Aston Villa, where he did not progress as envisioned.
A move to Middlesbrough did not work out either, but he finally started blossoming after joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2018. While the 26-year-old was not a prolific customer in the final third, he was still a pivotal figure for the Midlands club.
But Traore had been unsettled at the Molineux last summer and wanted to join Tottenham Hotspur before a move failed to materialise. The Spanish international finally left Wolves, albeit temporarily so, when he rejoined Barcelona in the January transfer window. But after a strong start to his second stint with Barcelona, Traore’s stock has fallen at Camp Nou.
The 26-year-old has chipped in with four assists in 16 appearances for Barcelona in the second half of the season. But despite going in and out of the side, Xavi Hernandez is open to keeping hold of Traore beyond the summer transfer window, promoting Barcelona to consider re-signing him permanently ahead of the 2022/23 season.
But widespread reports have suggested that Barcelona will not trigger the €30 million purchase clause they have in the loan deal. There were also suggestions that Barcelona might not re-sign Traore at all, opening up the prospects of other suitors like Everton.
But according to Santi Ovalle, Barcelona could still move to secure the services of Traore in the summer transfer window, provided talks with Ousmane Dembele over a new contract break down. In addition, the Catalan giants are only prepared to pay up to €15 million for the 26-year-old Spanish international.
The option of paying €15 million might not even be a factor, with recent reports claiming that the La Liga heavyweights are hopeful of reaching an agreement with Dembele over a contract renewal. So Traore’s time at FC Barcelona could end for good in the coming weeks before he embarks on a new adventure.
