According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, citing Portuguese newspaper El Recordo, FC Barcelona is actively pursuing the
Oporto
wing forward
Pepe
.. However, Barcelona's offer to reduce the transfer fee by adding Roque to the deal was rejected by Porto.
Barcelona are looking to bring in a left winger this summer, with Nico Williams their first choice, but Pepe is also on Barcelona's shortlist for reinforcements. Pepe, 27, currently has a release clause of 75 million euros, and Porto president Andre Villas-Boas has made it clear that he will have to pay the full release clause if he wants to sign Pepe.
Although Barcelona had offered to add Roque to the deal to offset part of the transfer fee, the offer was rejected by Porto. Barca's sporting director, Deco, communicated with Porto, but Boas was firm and said he had no intention of negotiating a transfer fee for Pepe.
Currently, Barcelona has encountered an obstacle in the negotiation for the introduction of Pepe, with Porto insisting on a release clause. In the future, how Barcelona will deal with this impasse and continue to push forward the reinforcement program deserves the fans' continued attention.
