Barcelona have declined the chance to sign Schalke 04 midfielder Max Meyer next summer. According to recent reports, the Catalans have rejected an opportunity to secure the services of the German international amidst interest from Arsenal and Liverpool.
The 22-year-old midfielder’s contract with the Bundesliga club runs out at the end of the campaign and he has already turned down two improved offers from the German outfit. It is unclear whether Schalke will go back in with another offer before his current deal comes to an end in the summer. Meyer has been widely touted to make a switch in search of fresh adventures when he becomes a free agent in the off-season.
The Oberhausen born midfield enforcer has plenty of potential suitors which includes both Arsenal and Liverpool leading the chase from the Premier League, while teams from Italy and Spain are also keeping tabs on him. However, some sources have recently claimed that the La Liga leaders have turned down the opportunity to opt for Meyer’s services following their brief discussions with the German’s representatives. Barca are understood to have other options lined up and have ruled out the possibility of signing Meyer at the end of the campaign. This development will come as a big boost for the Premier League duo who are set to clash heads in pursuit of his signature.
Barcelona are currently leading the La Liga table with a tally of 72 points in 28 matches. They are 8 points above second-placed Atletico Madrid with just 10 matches to go in this campaign. Ernesto Valverde’s side are the top scorers in the league and has found the back of the net 72 times during the course of this season. They can also boast the second-best defensive record in the Spanish top-flight conceding just 13 goals in the league so far.
A player of Meyer’s quality would undoubtedly be an asset for the Catalans as they look to maintain their dominance in the La Liga as well as in Europe in the coming years. Meyer has featured in 26 matches for Schalke this season, scoring once while providing one assist in all competitions. He has been deployed as a defensive midfielder this term but can also play in a more advanced role in midfield which makes him an ideal fit for any of his potential suitors. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Meyer and whether Barcelona will regret their decision of not opting for his signature this summer.
