According to Sport, there is still a possibility of Jean Michaël Seri, Nice’s star midfielder, ending up in FC Barcelona’s 2017-18 squad. Even though Robert Fernandez, Barcelona’s sporting director, previously said that Barça discarded him as an option, sources inside the club say they will do their best to sign him. Especially if Arda Turan departs in the winter market, which is likely taking into account that the Turkish midfielder does not seem to have a place in Ernesto Valverde’s plan.

It seems the most Turan can hope for is a couple of minutes in a second-level game, perhaps in the beginning rounds of Copa Del Rey. His departure is very likely and could be used to fund Seri’s signing. As the midfield needs more quality, the Ivory Coast midfielder would be a very good choice.

Other reports from the Mirror say that after failing to sign Philippe Coutinho, Barcelona will not attempt to sign him again and will focus instead on the signing of the African. Even though Seri previously went against the Nice board, saying that because of their financial requirements they broke their promise to allow him to go to La Liga and that “my dream of going to Barça has been broken”, he recently told L’Équipe “I will not move from Nice until June, regardless of what club comes after me this winter.” Continuing “it’s over, I have to turn the page and face the important terms that come with my club.”

Xavi praises Seri

“When I was told that a Nice player was nicknamed the ‘African Xavi,’ I followed him very closely. I watched matches and a lot of videos. I didn’t know him but I was spellbound: I’m not used to seeing such a talent in the midfield. Short passing, long passing, tactical intelligence, distance shooting, personality, organizing play, that last magic pass... He would do very well at Barça! He can play anywhere in the middle. I can say, without hesitation, he has what we call Barça DNA.”