Two Portuguese giants fighting for the signing of 22-year-old Barcelona winger

According to a report from Record, as relayed by SPORT, Barcelona have two suitors for Francisco Trincao in the summer in the form of Benfica and Sporting CP. Both clubs want to pursue his signing in the form of a loan move.

His agent, Jorge Mendes, will be key in this operation. He is on good terms with the club, since he manages Ansu Fati, Nico Gonzalez, Adama Traore, and Alex Balde.

Trincao is currently on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers till the end of the season, with a purchase option of around €30-35 million.

The option does carry a penalty, though. If Wolves choose to not purchase the winger’s services on a permanent basis, they will have to pay €6 million to Barcelona.

Barcelona and Wolves do, however, share an excellent professional relationship. After Trincao’s loan move in the summer, the clubs met again as Adama Traore moved to the Catalan capital on a temporary basis.

Neither club seems interested to purchase their on-loan wingers on a permanent basis, primarily due to the price tag attached to them.

As such, their names have been linked with a swap deal. Since the purchase option for both players sits at €30 million, Wolves and Barcelona could enter a like-for-like exchange operation.

Trincao has not particularly impressed with the Premier League outfit, though. He started the season well, but has been out of the starting lineup for several games running now.

In fact, he registered his first goal (after missing six big chances) and assist in a game against Leeds United on 18th March.

BU Says

It seems that Barcelona are not interested in giving Trincao another chance in the team, which is quite bizarre. The only shot he got in the first team was under Ronald Koeman as a make-or-break substitute.

His profile, in fact fits the need for Xavi, who likes to use a touchline winger. Moreover, with Adama Traore’s future uncertain, Barça could do with more options out wide.