The revelation in SPORT on Tuesday that Nelson Semedo could be included in a deal for Antoine Griezmann -- if Barcelona decide to go for the Frenchman -- has led to a range of stories about the right-back's future.
Catalunya Radio have also revealed that Nelson Semedo wants to leave Barça because he feels he's not been given as many minutes as he has deserved.
Being on the bench in both Liverpool games and then removed at half time in the Copa del Rey final have convinced him to leave. His agent, Jorge Mendes, has spoke with the club to talk about an exit.
The response was negative. Barça pointed to the 100 million euro release clause. But he could be used in a Griezmann deal if Atletico decide to negotiate.
Barça know that Diego Simeone is very interested after losing Juanfran and will keep that up their sleeve if it comes to it.
Mendes, meanwhile, in addition to finding more minutes for his player, could obtain a healthy commission if a transfer did come to the fore.
Don't forget that there are other teams in La Liga, Serie A and the Premier League interested in the right-back, who's competing with Sergi Roberto for a place at Camp Nou.
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If this is what Semedo actually says then he is right. There have been times when Semedo was needed in the pitch but Valverde didn't use him. Let's use Barca vs Lipool both legs for example, the first leg at camp nou saw pressure on Barca's defence. Sadio Mane, Mohammed Salah and co outpaced Barca's defence, only that they were more clinical and moreover, Ter Stegen was more than a wall at the post. The first leg at home should've given Valverde better analysis to use Semedo instead of Sergi Roberto at Anfiend because Semedo has more pace than Roberto. The kind of opponent you are meeting would have to determine your selection. Though we do have versatile players, they are not common. Even a versatile player may need a backup in some games. Barca's defence! it's build around Jerald Pique and Jordi Alba's experience. Pique is clumsy and paceless yet he tries to be offensive and be seen at opponent's 18 box. Anytime he stays back a his role he is so amazing but if he moves forward loses the ball to opposition he stands and watches for help. He can't recover loss balls. Jordi Alba is an offensive defender who looks more a complement to Messi had it not been his position. Clement Lenglet has pace and can recover balls. It's the same with Nelson Semedo. Sergi Roberto is more a defensive midfielder than a real defender or forward. In a game where you combine Alba, Lenglet, Pique and Roberto then you have only Lenglet to recover lost balls or Ter Stegen faces the danger. If you have Alba, Lenglet, Pique and Semedo in a game then you have Lenglet and Semedo to recover lost balls. If Semedo plays with Lenglet you could see Pique assisting Sergio Bousquet and Alba assisting at the left wing but their lapses would not be seen. What was the reason using Sergi Roberto forward whilst Malcolm sits in the bench? clueless! How can you trust a player to play all matches in a season without fear of injury, cards and tiredness? clueless! How can you play a second leg match without analysis of the first leg well? clueless! How many of Messi's crucial assists yielded goals in crucial matches? Alba and Coutinho missed two at Anfield. You can win UCL with only Messi as your attacker against Van Dijk, Robertson and co or defend 3 goals lead with only Lenglet and Ter Stegen to correct mistakes committed by Alba and Pique against Sadio Mane, Origi, Shaqiri and co.