Sporting Lisbon ‘very close’ to signing Barcelona defender on loan – Ornstein | OneFootball

Speaking after the game against Girona, Barcelona director Jordi Cruyff confirmed that they will not be making moves in the winter transfer market.

“The fans can be calm. There will not be a lot of movement in the transfer market,” he said.

However, at this point, Barcelona have already offloaded Gerard Pique – who retired, and Memphis Depay – €3 million move to Atletico Madrid. And while they still cannot sign players, the board is moving to unload a certain Hector Bellerin.

According to David Ornstein, Sporting Lisbon are ‘very close’ to signing Bellerin on loan until the end of the season. They are looking to sign the Spaniard as a replacement for Pedro Porro, who is joining Tottenham Hotspur on loan.

Fabrizio Romano has also confirmed this news, suggesting that talks with the Spaniard are progressing well over personal terms.

Bellerin signed for Barcelona on a free transfer in June on a one-year contract. He has failed to find his feet at the Camp Nou, and reports have suggested that the club has no intention of renewing his contract.

Xavi prefers the services of Jules Kounde and Sergi Roberto over the former-Arsenal man at right-back. The latter is expected to be handed a renewal, too.

Further, Barcelona are expected to sign a new right-back in the summer, which would make Bellerin’s place in the team redundant.

It is interesting to note that Bellerin’s loan would last six months – till the end of his Barça contract. This essentially means the player will become a free agent as soon as his sting at Sporting Lisbon ends.

Fernando Polo claims that the 27-year-old only wants to move on loan during this winter because he wants full authority over his next club as a free agent.

Meanwhile, the reliable Toni Juanmarti says Barcelona could include variables in his contract, and possibly a percentage of a hypothetical future sale if he moves on a permanent transfer.