Barcelona have struck out of the blue and have ‘hi-jacked’ Real Madrid’s move for Portuguese International Andre Gomes. He has been signed for an initial fee worth €35m which could rise up to €55m if performance-based milestones are reached.
The 22-year old joins from Valencia where his performances have caught the eye of both the La Liga giants. But, what would a psychological boost for the Catalans, is the fact Real Madrid were reportedly in the driver’s seat to secure the player’s signature until Barcelona stepped in at the last minute. The player’s decision to choose Barca will be a blow to Madrid as a sense of uneasiness grows at the Santiago Bernabeu over the lack of transfer activity by Real this transfer window.
Fans have cheekily pointed out that Barcelona are forming their Class of 22 with Lucas Digne, Umtiti, Denis Suarez, Gomes all 22 years old and another target Vietto also of the same age. What is evident from the flurry of transfer activity at the Nou Camp is the stress on the future of the team as the players have the scope of being long-term servants of the club.
Andre Gomes played 5 games in Portugal’s cup winning run and impressed heavily from his midfield slot. Though under the current set-up being an automatic starter will be next-to-impossible, but the window being open, the possibility of departures cannot be ruled out.
Gomes’ strengths are driving the team forward and supplying strikers with irresistible through balls. Almost a decade younger than Andrés Iniesta, Gomes may be considered a long-term replacement for the Spain and Barça veteran. The Portuguese has all the qualities Barcelona seek in a player- incredible technique on the ball, confidence in taking players on, outstanding vision and the ability to summon incisive passes.
But the transfer has also set tongues wagging on the status of a few other midfield players like Arda Turn and Rakitic. Though, the Croatian has enjoyed a superb season at the Nou Camp, a couple of cryptic signals from his agent hints at a possible departure. But it is widely accepted Gomes will initially operate as a squad player and under the tutelage of all the legends in the club will hone his game before challenging for a spot.
We look at a few tweets in reaction to the development.
Iniesta
Busquets
Rakitic
Sergi Roberto
Denis Suarez
Arda
Mascherano
Rafinha
Andre Gomes
Samper#Barcelona must sell some mids. Overloaded.— This is Arturo (@ar7uro_accame) July 22, 2016
Good thing about this Andre Gomes deal is that this theoretically should shut down any idea of Coutinho to Barca
— Tommy Egan (@rapzie) July 22, 2016
Rakitic’s Barca future plunged into doubt by agent’s tweet after Gomes deal https://t.co/LWA5NO1YIe
— Michael Ndoumbe (@mndoumbe) July 22, 2016
With Portuguese André Gomes’ signing, Barcelona have now players from 11 different nationalities in their 1st team squad
[barca19stats]
— Barcelona Nagas (@Barca_Naga_Fans) July 22, 2016
Andre Gomes to Barca at 50m while Kroos came in RMA at 26m. Perez you’re not so bad afterall.
— Ayaan Shaikh (@imAyaanS) July 22, 2016
All the while chased by Real, and Barca signs Andre Gomes.. Wtf is this /: !
— juiceman (@usman__sBear) July 22, 2016
Barça’s latest signings from Valencia:
2010 Villa
2012 Alba
2014 Mathieu
2016 André GomesWe’ll be back in 2018 😀
— adil (@Barca19stats) July 22, 2016
