Barcelona are willing to sell full-back Nelson Semedo to interested parties, although they are unlikely to budge on their valuation for the defender.
The summer market is shaping up nicely, especially for full-backs. The demand for the position has seen a rise with many big clubs looking at attractive options. Marca are reporting that Barcelona would be willing to sell full-back Nelson Semedo in the window, with Atletico Madrid among other clubs showing an interest.
The Catalans are looking to receive a significant amount for Semedo. The Catalans are looking at €50 million minimum for the full-back, which is also half his €100 million release clause. The Blaugrana bought Semedo for around €30 million two summers ago from Benfica.
Barcelona does not necessarily want Semedo to leave the club but could be open to a sale if the right offer comes in. Barcelona will then look at other targets to fill the void, although they have Sergi Roberto to cover the position for now. Roberto regularly challenged Semedo for the right-back spot during the season, making 29 appearances to Semedo’s 26 in the league.
Barcelona consider Semedo dispensable and have seemingly informed their agent about their intentions. The Catalans, however, are in no rush to sell the defender and hence will not accept anything lower than their €50 million valuation of the 25-year-old. There is, however, plenty of interest should Barcelona decide to cash in on the defender.
There is significant interest from the Premier League and some reported enquiries from rivals Atletico Madrid in Semedo. Atletico are looking at several defenders during their summer after the departures of three first-choice players of their backline as well as a possible fourth in Filipe Luis. Semedo would undoubtedly fit into their philosophy and depart the long-serving Juanfran at right-back.
Barcelona, on the other hand, would not hurt too much by Semedo’s departure. As mentioned earlier, Sergi Roberto is a reliable option to replace the Portuguese completely. Additionally, Barcelona could count upon new signing Emerson, who was loaned out to old club Atletico Minero and is set to join in the summer.
Emerson could be the ideal player to replace Semedo if the player does leave. Moreover, the form of Sergi Roberto means, Semedo could have to contend with sharing playing time, if he ends up staying. However, Semedo is thought to be considering his options as he would like to be the first choice right-back at the club he plays for.
It is difficult to see any club paying Barcelona’s asking price for Semedo. Atletico does have the money, and so do some clubs in the Premier League. But that kind of money has been spent in the past as well as this summer on players that have totally proven themselves, something Semedo still has to. For now, his Barcelona future looks bleak but he might end up staying put next season.
