Barcelona will reportedly demand a transfer fee of at least €18 million for Francisco Trincao, amidst interest from Valencia, Sporting CP and Benfica.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez wants to take a closer look at forgotten winger Francisco Trincao in the pre-season before deciding on his future. The Catalans will demand a transfer fee of at least €18 million if they decide to cash in on the Portuguese international.
Trincao joined Barcelona from SC Braga in the summer of 2020 but endured a difficult debut campaign in Catalonia. While he played in more than 40 games across all competitions, most of his appearances came from the bench as he failed to convince then-manager Ronald Koeman of his abilities.
As a result, Trincao was sent out on loan to Wolves last summer, but the 22-year-old did not enjoy the best of campaigns in England either. The Portuguese forward ended the 2021/22 season with a paltry return of two goals and an assist from 28 Premier League outings.
Now set to return to Barcelona, the former Braga starlet has been tipped to leave the club permanently in the summer. Trincao has no shortage of suitors either, as Portuguese giants Sporting CP and Benfica are keen on landing the 22-year-old. Barça’s La Liga rivals Valencia are also in the hunt for his signing.
Considering their financial situation, Barcelona are expected to sell any player that does not belong in manager Xavi Hernandez’s plans. And Trincao was believed to be one of them, although it is now being claimed that the 42-year-old tactician will take a closer look at the forward in the pre-season before taking a call on his future.
However, at the same time, should an important proposal arrive, Barcelona will go ahead with a sale. The report states that the Catalans do not wish to entertain loan offers for the former SC Braga starlet and will only consider a permanent transfer or a loan with an obligation to buy next year.
It is further stated that the Catalan giants want at least €18 million for Trincao, while they will also insist on inserting a 30% sell-on clause in the deal to profit from any future sales. It now remains to be seen if any of the interested parties are willing to meet those demands made by Barcelona this summer.
