Barcelona interested in Luiz Felipe

Barcelona are interested in signing Luiz Felipe from Lazio, according to Sport.

It seems the La Liga champions aren’t happy with the centre-back options at coach Quique Setien’s disposal at the moment. Gerard Pique is 33 years old, and Samuel Umtiti has frequent injury problems. They have 20-year-old Jean-Clair Todibo, currently on loan at Schalke 04, on their books, but they apparently want a player a bit further down the line in terms of development to succeed Pique and play alongside Clement Lenglet in the near future.

Luiz Felipe, 23, has had a great season in the Italian capital. Lazio signed him last year for a mere €1 million, but now, Gazzetta dello Sport say a €40m price-tag has been set on him. Further more, they are preparing a new deal for the young Brazilian. They do not wish to sell him and they’re expected to raise his release clause even higher. With 23 appearances in the sky-blue shirt, he has been an important ingredient of their title challenge in the Serie A this season.