Barcelona are reportedly scouring the transfer market for a goalkeeper this summer, with 32-year-old Catalan stopper Jordi Masip emerging on their radar.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Jordi Masip is the subject of interest from Barcelona over a move in the summer transfer window. The Catalan giants are keeping their options open in case they are forced to part ways with Neto, who is keen on an exit from Camp Nou.
Jordi Masip is a former Barcelona player who progressed through the ranks at the club’s famed academy La Masia before breaking into the first-team setup in 2014. Securing promotion to the main side under the tutelage of Luis Enrique, Masip was the third-choice goalkeeper for Barcelona for three years before he sought greener pastures in the form of Real Valladolid in 2017.
Over the last four years, Masip has been a mainstay in goal for Valladolid, turning out 142 times for the Albivioletas while keeping 34 clean sheets in the process. His progress since leaving Barcelona seems to have alerted his former club, who are now showing an interest in bringing him back to Camp Nou.
The interest from Barcelona stems from the uncertain future that Neto is facing at the club. The veteran Brazilian goalkeeper is keen on securing regular game-time, which he is unlikely to get at Camp Nou owing to the presence of the brilliant Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
As a result, a summer departure is likely for Neto, who has been heavily linked with Arsenal ever since the turn of the year. However, the exit of the 31-year-old is not set in stone, which is why Barcelona are not certain that they will sign a goalkeeper to replace him.
In case Neto does choose to call it quits, Barcelona will look to sign a replacement, with Tomas Vaclik another low cost option for the Blaugrana. And now, Masip has also emerged as a viable target for Barcelona, who can sign him on the cheap, seeing as his current deal with Real Valladolid runs out next summer, with their relegation to the second division also lowering Masip’s value.
Apart from Masip, Barcelona are also keeping their options open, with Aitor Fernandez another candidate to replace Neto. What now remains to be seen is if Neto chooses to stay put at Camp Nou or leaves this summer, in which case we could see Barcelona launch the offensive for 32-year-old Masip or Aitor Fernandez.