Robert Fernandez: 'Barcelona in Paco Alcacer talks'

Paco Alcacer celebrates scoring for Valencia against Gijon on September 12, 2015
© AFP
Barcelona are "optimistic" of signing Valencia striker Paco Alcacer in the latter stages of the transfer window, claims sporting director Robert Fernandez.

Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez has revealed that his club are in talks with Valencia over a move for Paco Alcacer and is "optimistic" that the deal will be completed before the end of the transfer window.

Valencia had previously insisted that Alcacer would not be leaving the Mestalla this summer, but their stance has softened over the last week and it is understood that a deal in the region of £25m is close to going through.

Fernandez has hinted that the Spanish champions are prepared to wait until the final moment to bring the Spain international to Camp Nou, but they will not move for another player if the transfer falls through.

"Until the 31st, the market is open and we must wait. It's true that we're interested [in Alcacer], but I can't say any more than that. We have time and there are still [five] days left. I'm optimistic and we'll exhaust all possibilities until the last day. We also know that if it's not Alcacer then we won't sign another striker. It's him or no-one," Fernandez told reporters.

Alcacer, who failed to make Vicente del Bosque's Spain squad for Euro 2016, scored 15 times in 40 appearances for Los Che during the 2015-16 campaign.

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2Barcelona22007256
3Real Madrid22005146
4Sevilla21106424
5Deportivo La CorunaDeportivo21102114
6Sporting GijonSporting Gijon21102114
7Leganes21101014
8EibarEibar21012203
9Real Sociedad210123-13
10Malaga20203302
11AlavesAlaves20201102
12Atletico MadridAtletico20201102
13Villarreal20201102
14Espanyol201168-21
15Osasuna201113-21
16Granada201126-41
17Real Betis201126-41
18Athletic Bilbao200213-20
19Celta Vigo200213-20
20Valencia200225-30