Barcelona keeping their goalkeeping options open
When the eventual transfer of Claudio Bravo to Manchester City occurs, the big question is who will fill his boots or gloves when the Chilean departs.
Rumours are flying about as to who Barcelona’s new stopper and presumably the understudy to Marc Andre ter Stegen will be, with Valencia’s Diego Alves being mentioned the most so far.
Barcelona and Luis Enrique are in no rush to sell Bravo as they are waiting on new number one Ter Stegen to recover from injury, though the deal is expected to be complete closer to the end of the transfer window.
Although Diego Alves may be the number one candidate to replace Bravo, young French ‘keeper Alphonse Areola has been touted as another option, according to Sport.
The PSG stopper spent last season on loan at Villarreal, so has some essential La Liga experience and at 23, could be an excellent long-term option for the current champions.
Coincidentally, Areola was also a former teammate of two of Barcelona’s summer recruits Samuel Umtiti and Lucas Digne. The three compatriots played in a very talented France side that won the under-20 World Cup just three years ago.