Barcelona in talks for Marquinhos; Van der Vaart nears summer exit

Barcelona in talks for Marquinhos

Catalan daily newspaper El Mundo Deportivo has learned that Barcelona are stepping up their efforts to sign Brazilian defender Marquinhos from Paris Saint-Germain.

The Saints officials are reportedly open to the possibility of cashing in on their prized asset having secured the signature of David Luiz from Chelsea.

El Mundo Deportivo understands that PSG president Sheikh Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Barca chief Josep Maria Bartomeu have spoken about the talented defender.

But, having paid €32 million for the youngster’s services just a year ago, the French giants are unlikely to accept any offer lower than the said amount.

The good news is that Marquinhos himself appears to be interested in a switch to Camp Nou, as witnessed by his latest comments.

The 20-year-old centre-back has scored 2 goals in 21 league appearances this term, while netting no less than three times in eight Champions League outings.

Van der Vaart nears summer exit

Hamburg star Rafael van der Vaart is widely tipped to leave Imtech Arena this summer, according to Bild.

The Netherlands international has had a very disappointing season with the Red Shorts, although the club eventually managed to escape relegation to the second division in the play-offs.

And while the player insists he is happy to stay at Hamburg, the club officials seem to have other ideas on their minds.

Namely, with van der Vaart earning around €3.5 million per campaign and his contract due to expire in a year’s time, HSV officials hope to offload their star player in the summer transfer window.

Long-term admirers Besiktas have yet to make their interest concrete, but few more clubs could join the race if the midfielder enjoys a good spell at the 2014 World Cup.

Rafael van der Vaart, 31, has struggled for form this season, although he still managed 7 goals and 6 assists in 27 Bundesliga outings.

PSV starlet set to leave

PSV Eindhoven are ready to cash in on talented winger Zakari Bakkali, according to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

The club officials are starting to lose patience with the youngster, while interim manager Ernest Faber is reportedly extremely unhappy with the player’s behaviour during the training camp in South Korea.

And considering that Bakkali has failed to keep the promise that he would sign a new deal before the season came to an end, PSV have little option but to sell in the summer transfer window.

The 18-year-old has a contract until June 2015, and the Dutch giants will not allow him to leave on a free transfer in a year’s time.

Bakkali has shown a great deal of potential during his debut season, scoring 3 goals in 16 appearances, but he is now paying the price for unprofessional behaviour.

The youngster was even handed his national team debut in October 2013, but he has failed to make Belgium squad for the 2014 World Cup, where the Red Devils are 2/5 to win their opening game against Algeria.

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