Only five million euros separate Barça and Betis over Junior deal
Contact between the two clubs has seen them move closer to an agreement
FC Barcelona are keen to sign a left-back and hope to have a deal in place for one this week, before Ernesto Valverde's side travel to the United States.
It's for that reason that the club have intensified talks with Real Betis over Junior Firpo. Betis are now ready to lower their demands but an agreement is not yet in place.
Barça don't want to invest a lot in a player who, in theory, will arrive as the backup to Jordi Alba, who has a great relationship with Lionel Messi on the pitch.
However, they do need a left-back having gone the whole of last season with no natural replacement for Alba, turning to Barça B's Juan Miranda infrequently.
Barça recognise that Junior has always been on their shortlist but has never been a priority because Betis started talks by demanding 35 million euros.
Weeks have passed and Betis have not had interest from elsewhere. They though interest from the Premier League would develop.
It seems they are now ready to change their stance. Barça have told Betis they won't stretch to 35 million. On Monday. Betis dropped the fee and are now ready to sell for 25 million, although Barça are only offering 20 million.
There's room for negotiation. The fee could be paid in instalments or a certain amount could be based on Junior's success at Camp Nou. Miranda could be included in the deal, too.
