Barcelona are reportedly scouring the prospect of signing Sevilla winger Pablo Sarabia, with Ernesto Valverde keen on the former Real Madrid star.
If reports from Spanish publication Don Balon are to be believed, Pablo Sarabia is a player that Barcelona are keen to recruit for the upcoming season. Ernesto Valverde is interested in signing the Spaniard, with the Sevilla attacker supposed to be a realistic alternative to the primary targets.
Barcelona have recently been linked with a hijack of Real Madrid’s pursuit of Eden Hazard. The Belgian though, has somewhat sewn his future by stating he already has a club in mind should he leave Chelsea, with Real Madrid tipped to be his choice.
The Catalans looking to offload Ousmane Dembele just one season after his arrival from Borussia Dortmund. The Frenchman has been unable to have much of an impact at Barcelona, and the club could use the funds to balance the outlay needed to fill other positions.
Pablo Sarabia presents an interesting proposition. The player was a part of Real Madrid earlier too — albeit their Castilla side. Sarabia was soon shipped to Getafe. The Spaniard grew in stature at the La Liga outfit, spending five seasons with Getafe before moving to Sevilla.
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has asked the club to sign Sevilla midfielder Pablo Sarabia (€19m*).
However, it’s thought Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu hasn’t agreed.
[Source: Don Balon/Express]*Current Market Value pic.twitter.com/0Y71uYGXGH
— Football Transfer World (@Football_WT) July 15, 2018
The transfer was seen as a move up the ladder. The 2017-18 season has shown that Sarabia is up to the task. The Madrid-born attacker recorded 9 goals and 10 assists over the course of the campaign and was one of the first names on the team sheet for Sevilla.
Sarabia is reportedly a fan of Ernesto Valverde’s coaching methods and is more than likely to be open to work under the Barcelona coach. The player will also serve as a much cheaper alternative to Willian, with Chelsea not satisfied with the £60 million bid that Barcelona have reportedly lodged.
Another trait that would be of immense help to Barcelona will be Sarabia’s versatility. The 26-year-old can play all across the front three, which could come in handy, with Valverde continuing to switch between 4-3-3 and 4-4-2, depending on the need of the situation.
Sarabia’s move could end up being one of the brilliant deals of the current transfer market. The attacker has plied his trade in La Liga only and his experience in the league could make him a better profile to target over Hazard and Willian. Should Barcelona pursue Sarabia, this transfer has a real chance of happening.
