Under La Liga regulations, Barcelona are allowed to sign and register a replacement player if the injured footballer is expected to be out for four months or more. This forecast must be supported by a medical report approved by the competition's Medical Commission. Barcelona have up to 20 days to request the registration of a replacement once the Medical Commission issues a favourable report, and they can use up to 80% of the injured player's salary.
Well, I don't think Villa would want to sell him. I think he's been quite impressive for them from what I've seen of him certainly this year. But you know, that attraction of going to Barcelona for a Spanish player is pretty magnetic. And I'm sure he and his agent will be very tempted if that's the case. And if Barcelona can put together a deal that can actually get paid and get approved, which we know has been their problem.
According to a recent report from A Bola, Jose Mourinho has personally stepped in after learning of FC Barcelona's interest in Nicolas Otamendi. The Portuguese coach has urged Benfica to move quickly and secure the Argentine defender's future with a contract renewal. The report suggests that Mourinho and Benfica president Rui Costa are fully aligned on the issue. Both believe that Otamendi remains far too important to lose, especially to a direct European rival like Barcelona.
Barcelona are reportedly interested in the Liverpool defender, Ibrahima Konate. The 26-year-old will be out of contract in the summer, and he has not signed an extension with the Premier League champions. PSG and Real Madrid are keen on the player as per Fichajes, and it will be interesting to see if the Spanish champions can win the race for his signature.