Is it any wonder Barcelona are in trouble, with scouting like this?
Barcelona are lining up a bid of €40m for Leicester City centre-back Çağlar Söyüncü, according to Turkish media outlet NTV Spor.
Söyüncü broke into Leicester’s first team at the start of this season, replacing the outgoing Harry Maguire who was sold for a staggering £80m fee to Manchester United.
In his first season playing regular first team football, Söyüncü has attracted a lot of praise for his proactive defending style, his ability to bring the ball out of defence and his recovery pace.
But a player with those traits also tends to be a bit of a loose cannon and the 24-year-old is no exception. Among Leicester fans, it is Jonny Evans who is hailed as the dependable, consistent defender while Söyüncü is a bit of a mixed bag.
In the current market, £40m seems a reasonable price for the player with potential to improve. But to Barcelona?
The LaLiga giants’ record in the transfer window over the past few years has been sub-par to say the least, with numerous big money signings not working out – Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembélé and Antoine Griezmann to name just thee.
For all Söyüncü’s qualities, he does not look like a player who will become a starter at the Camp Nou for a sustained period.
At a time when the club have to start seriously thinking about replacing Gerard Pique, €40m seems a lot of money to risk on a player for whom there is every chance he could be out the door in a year’s time.
Still, if he does join, he will sign for the club on a five-year-contract and become the third Turkish player ever to represent the Catalan club after goalkeeper Rustu and Arda Turan.
I like Söyüncü, but this just seems weird.
