Former Villarreal striker Cedric Bakambu has described transfer reports linking him with a move to Barcelona as ‘flattering’ as he awaits a return to European football.
The DR Congo international ended his over three-year spell at Beijing Guoan in November after winning the 2018 Chinese Super League title and winning the top scorer’s prize in the 2020 league season.
Bakambu is said to be a transfer target for Barcelona who are looking to strengthen their squad this January and he sees the reports as encouraging despite playing in Asia since 2018.
“Of course, it's flattering to be associated with Barca,” the former Villarreal star told Foot Mercato.
“Now, it's not an end in itself, I take it as a source of motivation, it pushes me to perform. It proves that my work in China paid off.
“Despite the fact that I went into exile on the other side of the planet, the European teams still think of Cedric Bakambu and, for me, it's the fruit of the work accomplished, let's put it that way.”
Bakambu started his professional career in Sochaux before moving to Bursaspor and Villarreal where he rose to prominence as he was named in the 2015-16 Uefa Europa League Squad of the Season.
When asked about his next adventure, the 30-year-old said; “It will depend on the club that wants to sign me. I attach a lot of importance to relationships, it's important.
“I want to feel wanted by the management, but especially by the technical staff. We know very well that in a group, the coach's opinion is essential. This is clearly what I'm looking for with the sporting challenge.
“Today, I am a little more open we will say and we will see. Me too, I read the press, I am announced everywhere from left to right. After that, I already have a little idea of what I want to do. Then we'll see how it goes.”
Bakambu will not be playing at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations which starts on Sunday, after DR Congo failed to qualify for the tournament in Cameroon.
The Leopards finished third in Group D of the qualification round, behind Gabon and Gambia.
lleeonard
0
gud option But Cavani is better ... as per the Age.. and .. Morata is much more viable ... and much more could be Felix to see Grizze move permanently to Athletico
Dukbeilnst
0
Barcelona now need all playerz,let them sign a player from Simba sports club hey we have one called Kagere in Tanzania😂😂😂😂😂
Bepdeiloy
0
welcome back in Europe my favorite strick
iffy1985
0
At least our sense of reasoning is not clouded by pre judging others without facts and I don't think your family is same as you. So many unreasonable fellas here. Be wise and stop disgracing yourself. Shame on you, clown
You are a disgrace to yourself and your family. why my opinion hurts you and make you insane?
zacenoruz
0
I think it's fine barca don't have money now xavi is trying to get old horses just to help the team of pressure well the club is restoring things eg Dan alvis, for now barca is selling young players and get old players for free just trying to settle things
leoabby
0
Shame on your family
At least our sense of reasoning is not clouded by pre judging others without facts and I don't think your family is same as you. So many unreasonable fellas here. Be wise and stop disgracing yourself. Shame on you, clown
iffy1985
0
Why,has barca already signed him? Sometimes,it's just agents who use names of big clubs to build the profile of their clients and it can also be a media thing. Shame on you rather for pre judgement.
Shame on your family
Wongedo
2
They're only thinking of buying attackers yet the midfield and defense are all poor
Jacabopt
1
xavi must be crazy
Slow-Kelvin_10
0
Apuuu we don’t need him
Cos u don't know him. He's a very clinical striker, has pace and can dribble
Yoeadklor
1
He shouldn't be flattered at all. If Braithwaite of all people can make the cut, why not Bakambu who's a much better player than the Danish guy....
Nesalruz
2
bakagaoooooool yes
Qwanesparrow
4
Xavi be like : when crosses are coming in, Bakambu is more dangerous than Messi .😂😂
gozzysab
0
so because he played for Villarreal like 4 years ago when he was in his prime you know how he plays now? Even if he is just as good as he was, you were definitely not watching Villarreal games except for occasionally seeing them in Europa League or against Barca, Madrid in La Liga... i remember seeing him play like once
am a Laliga fan ok? so stop counting
TreTheplug
1
Y’all remember the Brazilian Paulinho don’t knock it till u try it he to came from Asia to barca and did a great job
chrisonar
0
this guy cannot fit Barcelona style of play . abeg ,
style of play my foot. barca need a change of everything.
Alihhh
0
Tf bruh no he’s not good! I’m a barca fan but he’s not any where near our level
Ok memphis is on barca level? Who is selfishly doing nothing inside the box? We all knew it that barca is playing even worst that villareal now so it is impossible to get back on that level instantly speacially at the case where we have more that 1. 5 billion debt. Everyone wants halland but no one knows how it is possible.
Alihhh
1
Yes we need him we need more pace in our strikers end just like he has and he is also a good dribbler. Surely we need him speacially in a case where we have our all front 3 are injured.
yoeilmnost
2
it's a good option ,,that guy z a goal scorer n with Barca's pocket it's a good deal
jieacdklz
1
African are using our old device
Seubelpstz
0
Apuuu we don’t need him
tasiumessi1
0
why
kelvinapple
1
Xavi must be crazy 😜
KingGMessi10
0
Why are you flattered, nowadays we sign just about anybody. You ain't special bro
Youngboyneverbroke
0
Bakambu is good
Tf bruh no he’s not good! I’m a barca fan but he’s not any where near our level
Teetorh07
2
I remember when this guy scored against madrid and made a funny celebration thinking that they will get the three point but cr7 equalized and morata scored the winning goal,the match ended(Villareal 2-3Madrid) 2017 —miss the old days😔
KreddyKall
0
you are just a kid, he once played for Villarreal and everyone knows what he is capable of
so because he played for Villarreal like 4 years ago when he was in his prime you know how he plays now? Even if he is just as good as he was, you were definitely not watching Villarreal games except for occasionally seeing them in Europa League or against Barca, Madrid in La Liga... i remember seeing him play like once
18597076(deleted)
0
He has Scored more goals in Villarreal than Vinicius in his career that's the fact accept it
[image]
Lol you think comparing to Vinicius support your argument? You’re really lost
LucaKay27
0
This Guy Scored a Hat Trick Against your team in 2016 and was Europa League's Top Scorer what are you saying?
Please can you tell us the season he(Cedric Bakambu) won the UEL top scorer? And I believe he only played for Villarreal in Spain, and the last time they scored 3 goals against madrid was 2009. So which hattrick are you talking about? No doubt he's a good player, but please stop giving fake and non existing facts here.
Yiuilnpryz
0
nonsense 😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒
Fihabiptuz
1
this guy cannot fit Barcelona style of play . abeg ,
Barca Doesn't have any style anymore
gozzysab
0
how do you know, no way you watch that league
you are just a kid, he once played for Villarreal and everyone knows what he is capable of
Joaadpru
1
From Messi to Bakambu [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Bakambu is good
IHATERONALDO7732
0
Okay. Do the math for 3 years. Now tell me is that better ? Don’t ask me to do it. Also, if you feel the need to include fifa friendly goals, then you’re purposely distorting the facts. I don’t care for friendly goals, and you shouldn’t either.
He has Scored more goals in Villarreal than Vinicius in his career that's the fact accept it
Moteiopty
3
From Messi to Bakambu [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
18597076(deleted)
0
He was in Villarreal For Three Years And We Haven't Counted his Sivasspor FC goals Because They Aren't in FIFA so keep Come to Think of it he has Scored more goals in Four Years than Vinicius Jr's Entire Career 🤣🤣🤣
Okay. Do the math for 3 years. Now tell me is that better ? Don’t ask me to do it. Also, if you feel the need to include fifa friendly goals, then you’re purposely distorting the facts. I don’t care for friendly goals, and you shouldn’t either.
leoabby
0
BARCELONA joke of the year 2022. Why Bakambu with all the big and great talented players on market. shame on you Barcelona
Why,has barca already signed him? Sometimes,it's just agents who use names of big clubs to build the profile of their clients and it can also be a media thing. Shame on you rather for pre judgement.
KreddyKall
0
he is a good player with energy and pace.. Barcelona will use him
how do you know, no way you watch that league
IHATERONALDO7732
0
He was in Villarreal For Three Years And We Haven't Counted his Sivasspor FC goals Because They Aren't in FIFA so keep Come to Think of it he has Scored more goals in Four Years than Vinicius Jr's Entire Career 🤣🤣🤣
IHATERONALDO7732
0
He was in Villarreal For Three Years And We Haven't Counted his Sivasspor FC goals Because They Aren't in FIFA so keep Come to Think of it he has Scored more goals in Four Years than Vinicius Jr's Entire Career 🤣🤣🤣
Like Do the Math he has Scored even Six more 😀
IHATERONALDO7732
0
Lol how is that double? do your math! I commented on that earlier.With all tournaments, not just La liga, it totals to 47/48 goals in 4 years for Villarreal. Lol how is that better?!
He was in Villarreal For Three Years And We Haven't Counted his Sivasspor FC goals Because They Aren't in FIFA so keep Come to Think of it he has Scored more goals in Four Years than Vinicius Jr's Entire Career 🤣🤣🤣
18597076(deleted)
0
You Said 32 goals And He Has Scored Twice that 32 goals and in three years not four years burasspor isn't in FIFA so you can't see his Goals now defend yourself
[image]
Lol how is that double? do your math! I commented on that earlier.With all tournaments, not just La liga, it totals to 47/48 goals in 4 years for Villarreal. Lol how is that better?!
IHATERONALDO7732
0
Lol you lost this argument. Just accept you don’t have a point. Lol [Crylaugh]
You Said 32 goals And He Has Scored Twice that 32 goals and in three years not four years burasspor isn't in FIFA so you can't see his Goals now defend yourself
18597076(deleted)
1
Are You mentally retarded or Were you Just Born That way ?
Lol you lost this argument. Just accept you don’t have a point. Lol [Crylaugh]
IHATERONALDO7732
0
32 goals in La liga for Villarreal. In 4 years…it appears you don’t have a point or a leg to stand on.
Are You mentally retarded or Were you Just Born That way ?
18597076(deleted)
1
Just Accept You Don't Have A point If that was in the past He Was the Top Scorer Of Two Successive Seasons in His Club
32 goals in La liga for Villarreal. In 4 years…it appears you don’t have a point or a leg to stand on.
18597076(deleted)
1
Tell him🤦♂️
32 goals in the league when he was playing for Villarreal. 47 if we include all other tournaments. In 4 years…
IHATERONALDO7732
0
In 2016… are you so intent in living the past ?
Just Accept You Don't Have A point If that was in the past He Was the Top Scorer Of Two Successive Seasons in His Club
18597076(deleted)
1
you forgot he was playing in la Liga for Villarreal and he was scoring a lot of goals
32 goals in 4 years for Villarreal. how is that fantastic ?!
LIVERPOOLIAN_INTER
0
Right…he left for an easier club…have you wondered why ?
He left for money… not for an “easier club”🤦♂️