Portuguese tabloid Correio da Manhã claims that Barcelona is interested in Sporting midfielder João Moutinho (21).
Future Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola would want the Portuguese international to become the successor of Barcelona midfielder Deco (30). Moutinho has a contract with Sporting until 2013 and has a buyout clause of 25 million euro°.
Asked about the matter, Nélson Moutinho, the father of the player, said that he had not yet been contacted by Barcelona but that he welcomes the interest: "João plays at a great club, where he is loved and where he feels good. But of course, if a club with the size of Barcelona would come after him, that would be a dream. I am however completely unaware of that interest."
Moutinho's father doesn't have any doubt that his son would adapt to the level of a European top club: "I sure think that my son is ready for a new step. He can play for any team in the world. He has always been immune to pressure and played a very regular season in a difficult year for Sporting. My son and Deco have some qualities in common and the exit of Deco indeed opens a door for someone, but I do not know if that someone is João."
Read more:
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Keita to replace Deco
The four Barcelona summer objectives
Sunday 18 May 2008
Moutinho other candidate to replace Deco
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4 comments:
° 25 million euro =
40 milion us dollar
20 million british pound
This makes much more sense than the previous rumors of Keita possibly filling Deco's role. Not to say that I wouldn't mind adding Keita as well, but to me he's more of a "holding" central midfielder. Moutinho's game on the other hand more closely resembles Deco's game in style and flair. Moutinho's a "playmaker",always scanning the field up ahead and he can be surgically precise with his passes. The only knock against him is his size. He's only 5'6, 5'7 at best with a frail build and he looks like a little kid out there running around on the pitch. You just wonder if he can hold up to a more physical style of play? I would still prefer Diego instead but then again you could potentially get this guy for half the price.
To replace Deco:
Fabregas
Diego
Van der Vaart
Get him (and Keita, btw.). Perfect replacement for Deco, since Modric isn't available anymore.
This guy is a leader (captain for sporting at 20) and will only get better.
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