Leicester City are reportedly interested in Francisco Trincao and have proposed a two-year loan deal to Barcelona with an obligation to buy him for €50 million.
According to the reliable Fabrizio Romano reporting for The Guardian, Francisco Trincao is the subject of interest from former Premier League champions Leicester City over a potential loan move, with an obligation to buy him after two years for €50 million. The Portuguese winger is due to arrive at Barcelona this summer.
Trincao has been a part of SC Braga since joining their academy in 2011. The player subsequently progressed through the ranks at the club, impressing at various age group levels before breaking into the first-team setup last term. However, it is 2019/20 that has ended up becoming his proper breakthrough season.
The 20-year-old, hailed as one of the most promising young wingers in Portugal, turned out 40 times for Braga, with a solid record of 9 goals and 13 assists to show for his efforts. His progress was noted by several big clubs across Europe, with Barcelona pouncing quickly.
In fact, the Spanish heavyweights were rapid in securing his services, reaching an agreement with Braga over a summer move earlier this year. The Portuguese youngster was initially supposed to be arriving at Camp Nou on July 1, having signed a five-year deal with Barcelona, but the same had to be pushed forward as the Portuguese season was stretched due to COVID-19.
Capable of playing across the attacking line, Trincao could be a backup to Barcelona captain Lionel Messi, while also being on option on the left flank, where he could challenge Ansu Fati and others for a spot in the starting lineup. However, as per The Guardian, Trincao could be on his way out of Barcelona without kicking a ball.
Leicester City are showing an interest in the 20-year-old and have already proposed an initial two-year loan deal, with an obligation to buy him for €50 million. While Barcelona would prefer not selling, the fact that they need funds to sign priority target Lautaro Martinez could force their hand and agree a deal with the former Premier League champions.
Barcelona would prefer cashing in on Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele to raise the funds for Martinez. However, while Coutinho is touted to be a part of a possible swap deal that would see him join Arsenal, with Matteo Guendouzi making his way Camp Nou, Dembele is unlikely to leave the Catalans.
Having said that, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has insisted that Trincao is not for sale, pointing that he will be a part of the club’s future. So, Leicester City, who could do with a winger, might have to set their sights elsewhere in search of an attacking reinforcement, with a loan deal and a future €50 million permanent move unlikely.
