La Liga giants Barcelona have entered an agreement with Swiss club Servette FC that will see the two European clubs cooperate in developing young talent.
The Blaugrana announced on Tuesday that Swiss U19 international Jeremy Guillemenot would be joining them on a one-year deal. The 18-year-old forward played a part in Servette’s promotion to the second tier of Swiss football, scoring six goals as well as scoring four in four in the UEFA Youth League.
“FC Barcelona and the Swiss club Servette FC have reached an agreement that will facilitate cooperation between the two clubs in the area of youth football,” said a statement issued by both clubs. [via: Goal]
“The agreement is a demonstration of the good level of understanding between the two European clubs.
“As a result of this agreement, FC Barcelona’s Under-19 team has brought on Jeremy Guillemenot, a player from Servette FC.
“Although Guillemenot is currently in preseason training with Barca B, he will play for the Under-19 team this season.”
FC Barcelona and Servette FC to cooperate in the area of youth football: https://t.co/cCU4VtP8d3 pic.twitter.com/Aqs1FiC1bd
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 25, 2016
Barcelona’s signing of Guillemenot will probably not transition into a permanent move, but it will be huge for the Swiss player. The Catalan’s youth academy, La Masia, is famed for producing some of the world’s best footballers. Graduates include the likes of Xavi, Andre Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas. He will have the opportunity to train with the world’s best, and is set to be a key future player for parent club Servette once his stint at Barcelona is up.
Barca have approached Brazilian striker Jonas, according to his agent
Barcelona are looking for some reinforcements for their star MSN strike force. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar have been phenomenal this past season, but issues of fitness and fatigue will be a worry for manager Luis Enrique. Barca suffered a breakdown of sorts at the end of the season as they were knocked out by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and faltered in the La Liga to give up their comfortable 9 point lead at the top of the table.
Their hunt has now led them to 32-year-old Brazilian striker Jonas, who has enjoyed a prolific season with Primiera Liga Champions Benfica.
“A person connected to Barcelona made an appointment with us at the end of last season about the situation Jonas. We were flattered, of course, because it is a recognition of the spectacular season that Jonas had,” said his agent Tiago Goncalves, according to Globoesporte.
Jonas was the top scorer in the Portuguese Primiera Liga and finished fourth in the race for the European golden boot. The former Valencia striker scored 32 goals in 34 league games for Benfica, also striking twice in the Champions League. However the major issue that Barcelona have to contend with is the age factor. At 32 years of age, he doesn’t have much left in the tank and this will be something the Catalan club will have to deliberate about despite his outstanding showing last season.
The Catalan giants have been unsuccessful in their pursuit of Juventus striker Paulo Dybala, and have most recently been linked with Sevilla striker Kevin Gameiro. Neither of them would settle for a place on the bench after great seasons with their respective clubs though, and the veteran Jonas is a much more obtainable target for the Blaugrana.
