Not for the first time over the last couple of seasons, there seems to be some interest coming from Barcelona, directed at Daniel Agger, who has stated quite a few times in recent years that he’s quite happy playing for Liverpool and staying at Anfield.
If tattoos aren’t enough to make you feel sure about his allegiance, nothing will. And yet, according to El Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are back on the Agger thing, while the Dane is crazy about joining the club. On one hand, most players dream about playing for Barcelona, but how many times does Agger need to prove his loyatly in order for the media to back off?
As mentioned by the Spanish media outlet, Barcelona are now tracking Agger because their attempts to sign David Luiz and Thiago Silva, their two prime targets, haven’t been going well so far, and after purchasing Neymar for €57 million, there isn’t that much left to spend, especially considering the kind of sums Chelsea and PSG are asking for.
So when going down the scale of formidable centre backs who can do more with their feet than just blast away clearances, Daniel Agger is the next in line, not to mention a lot cheaper than the two Brazilian option, although offers for £13 million and £16 million from Manchester City last season were denied. He won’t cost any less this season, with his contract running until 2016.
The basis for this rumor is probably something spoken by Liverpool academy chief Rodolfo Borrell, a former Barcelona youth-coach, stating that Agger would be a perfect fit at the Nou Camp if he ever got there.
Agger has the right characteristics to adapt to Barca’s play. He is a very trustworthy centre-half, above all on the ball, because he comes out very well with it. In a style like Barca’s where he start to build moves from the keeper, a defender must have a good pass, must make the right decisions, and be quick when you lose the ball and good in the air at set-pieces both in defence and attack. Agger fulfills all these qualities.
Maybe he was just trying to praise someone on his club, but actual transfers have started by less than this.