Without adding a quality centre back, it’s hard to see how Barcelona can hope to challenge for the Champions League, and at the moment, it seems they’re not giving up on bringing over Thiago Silva from PSG.
According to Sport, who has a lot of swing & misses when it comes to transfers, Barcelona have agreed to personal terms with the Brazilian defender, and now have to hope Paris Saint-Germain change their mind about selling him.
However, even if PSG are convinced that the most important part of their defense is dispensable, possibly giving Sakho a chance to become a first team player once again, it’s hard to believe they’ll be selling him at a price Barcelona can afford.
After already signing Neymar for €57 million, adding Thiago Silva will bring their spending to over €100 million this season. Barcelona have already approached AS Roma about Marquinhos, but the Italian club suggested that only €60 million will be enough for them. Thiago Silva might cost less, but not by much.
And looking at other Barcelona dealings this summer, it’s going to be hard to find money for yet another mega transfer. David Villa doesn’t even cover 10% of the Neymar deal, and for now, Thiago Alcantara (leaving for €21 million) is still with the club, as something is putting his departure to Manchester United on hold for some reason.
Thiago Silva has said he is happy in Paris and he doesn’t think his club will let him go, but meanwhile hasn’t ruled out joining another club. In an interview after winning the Confederations Cup, Thiago Silve mentioned that it’s very difficult to say no to a club like Barcelona, hinting that if PSG agree he would be happy to join the La Liga champions.
For now, nothing is happening, and Barcelona are still without a partner for Gerard Pique in the middle of a shaky defense, that no longer has a trustworthy Carles Puyol to rely on.