Will Soyuncu sale fund Leicester’s Barcelona raid?
After impressing for Leicester City last season, Caglar Soyuncu is one of the hottest centre-backs in football. Could he fund a Barcelona transfer?
He made 38 appearances for Leicester City and scored one goal overall, but Soyuncu’s performances early in the 2019/20 season made him an instant hit amongst the supporters at King Power Stadium.
With his solo run in the victory against Tottenham Hotspur, to him lifting James Maddison up to the sky after the Foxes number 10 doubled their lead against Arsenal, the Turk has been a constant fan favourite.
Despite this, Turkey’s defender missed the final three games of the Premier League season for lashing out at Callum Wilson in the 4-1 defeat last month.
With Ben Chilwell looking likely to leave Leicester before the transfer window closes on 5th October, Soyuncu has been linked with Spanish giants Barcelona.
Blaugranes currently have two of their three centre-backs out injured, with Gerard Pique being the only fit first-team player as Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti injured. With Ronald Araujo and Jorge Cuenca included in their squad for the Champions League tie with Napoli, Quique Setien will have his eyes on boosting his options in the heart of the defence.
Turkey’s NTV has claimed that Barcelona has got their eyes on Soyuncu, a possible move that could see the deal including Francisco Trincao come together. Leicester are reportedly said to be keen on securing the 20-year-old forward, despite his €500m release clause.
The Foxes have already had three meetings with the Spanish club regarding the possibility of bringing in Trincao, but Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has ruled the transfer out.
Speaking to beIN Sports, he said: “He is not for sale. Neither Pedri, nor Ansu, nor Ter Stegen, nor Riqui Puig, nor Araujo […] These young players are not for sale. We are creating a new generation for the future.”
Trincao’s possible arrival in England seems a stretch at the moment, after only signing from Braga in January. But if the five-time Champions League winners want to bring Soyuncu to the Nou Camp, funds will need to be raised.
NTV Spor reported that a £36m offer for Soyuncu was in the pipelines from Barcelona, with a possible five-year-deal being on the table.
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With Chilwell’s move to Chelsea edging closer, Leicester City won’t want to let another star player leave them this summer. But with Brendan Rodgers confirming he intends to improve “the attacking area” this summer, it could be possible that Soyuncu and Trincao trade employers.