Barcelona Open Talks With Nelson Semedo
REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev
Barcelona have reportedly overtaken both the Manchester clubs in the pursuit of Portuguese defender Nelson Semedo for a move this summer.
The Catalan giants are already out of the Champions League, and are not favourites to lift the La Liga title this season. Moreover, they are also set to lose their manager Luis Enrique after the end of the campaign, and are planning for a squad overhaul this summer.
The Catalan giants will look to strengthen a couple of areas in the squad, and one position they will surely look to add some quality to, is at right-back.
Ever since long-serving Dani Alves left the club, Barcelona have failed to find a player who can replicate that kind of an impact at both ends of the field. The likes of Aleix Vidal and Sergi Roberto have been decent, but it is now understood that Barca are looking for a genuine right-back who can make that role his for years to come.
And according to Goal, Barcelona have held talks with Benfica regarding a move for defender Nelson Semedo.
The report adds that Arsenal star Hector Bellerin remains their first choice, but they have had some of their other scouts constantly watch over the Portuguese recently. Furthermore, Benfica president, Luís Filipe Vieira, also seems to have visited the Catalan capital regarding the transfer of the 23-year-old.
Manchester City are interested in the youngster’s signature as well, and it will be interesting to see if Barcelona wait for Bellerin, or if they end up meeting the Benfica defender’s asking price of around €30m.
Semedo has been impressive throughout the campaign, and has 2 goals and 11 assists to his name in all competitions this season.
Written by Aakarsh Bommakanti 
A scholar in Cricket, an amateur in Football, a fanatic of both. Striving to learn by the day and writing to get closer to his first love, Liverpool Football Club. Work also featured by the4thofficial, Soccersouls, Sportswiki, Faceoffootball, Rousing the Kop.