Marc Pubill is gaining ground as a new Barça player. The Olympic team’s full-back has always been the great alternative to Cancelo and the Blaugrana club has begun to study formulas to sign him so that he can be registered. The Blaugrana proposal would involve a paid loan of around 5 million euros plus an option to buy the player depending on his performance, but practically obligatory. The operation is moving forward despite the fact that Almería wanted a pure and simple sale as it had agreed days ago with Atalanta.
Pubill signed for Almería for five million euros and Levante kept 25 percent of a future sale. The Andalusian club would recover the money invested with this loan and would add a purchase option of about 12 million euros to complete an important transfer for one of the most promising full-backs in the market. The player is willing to close the deal with the Blaugrana club, although everything will now depend on the clubs.
Barça had postponed the Pubill deal until they knew the outcome of Cancelo’s transfer. Barça’s sporting director, Deco, had promised the full-back that they would do everything possible to sign him, but Manchester City have made things very difficult for him. In fact, they have just reached a transfer agreement with Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal and Canceloe is already reportedly studying the multi-million euro offer from this team. It is likely that everything will fall apart although Deco has always prioritised his arrival.
Pubill started to gain prominence a few days ago and the negotiations have been moving forward. Sources at the Blaugrana club confirm that there may be an agreement although there are differences in the final formula of the operation. If this is a non-binding loan, Almería could give in as it is an operation that, at the very least, would ensure them a 5 million euro income while waiting for the player to develop well at Camp Nou.
Pubill’s arrival will lead to the departure of Héctor Fort, who has received several loan offers both in Spain and abroad. Fort already knows that he is not part of this season’s project and the club will find a place for him. Koundé will continue to be a wildcard at right back and also in the central position and Pubill will be the specialist although he is still young and must continue to improve.
Barça believes that Pubill has a lot of physical potential. He defends very well and reaches the back line well, although he finds it difficult to play inside. Despite everything, he is a profile that Deco has liked a lot since last summer, when he also managed the arrival of Iván Fresneda, who ended up leaving Valladolid for Sporting Lisbon. Curiously, Fresneda and Pubill share an agent, who is the same one who also represents Federico Chiesa.
