After months of negotiations, the Catalan club has completed the signing of Valencia forward Paco Alcacer for an initial fee of €30 million with a further €2m in bonuses. He has taken his medical and will soon sign a contract with the Nou Camp outfit.
Earlier today Barcelona confirmed via their official website that they have completed the signing of the 23 year old Spanish forward for “30 million plus 2 million in variables”.
The forward, who scored his second ever career goal in La Liga against Barcelona, will have a €100 million release clause. However, the duration of his contract was not mentioned in the official website.
Valencia’s Reluctance
Paco Alcacer is the second Valencia player to sign for Barca this season and the sixth overall signing of the season after Samuel Umtiti, Andre Gomes, Denis Suarez, Lucas Digne and Jasper Cillessen. Valencia were reluctant to sell the youngster who has netted 43 times over the last two seasons for Valencia and 6 times for Spain in 13 appearences.
Easily one of the longest transfer sagas alongside Paul Pogba and Joao Mario, Valencia were determined to hold onto their star forward as boss Pako Ayestaran insisted that neither Alcacer nor Mustafi are for sale (via ESPNFC). Ironically, both stars have left Valencia now with Mustafi headed to London to sign for Arsenal.
Barcelona have been looking for a forward all summer to play the vice-Suarez role for the team. Director Roberto Fernandez showed a headstrong determination and steely resolution to bring the Valencia forward to the Catalan capital.
Munir El Haddadi
As a part of the same deal Munir El Haddadi, the 20-year-old La Masia product moved on loan to the opposite direction. Valencia have the option to redeem the Spanish Moroccan forward for €12 million at the end of the present La Liga campaign.
Valencia would be sorry to see one of their most important players choose a bench role at Barcelona ahead of a regular starting spot at the Mestalla.
Valencia have now lost three of their starting players and look to be in complete disarray with only 2 days left to find suitable replacements. While Munir El Haddadi is a like for like replacement, he does not have the kind of experience that is required right now to compete with the likes of Sevilla, Atletico, Real and Barca.
