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Ricardo Pereira Touted as Possible Nelson Semedo Replacement at Barcelona

Ricardo Pereira ​is understood to have been touted as a potential Nelson Semedo replacement for Barcelona by super agent Jorge Mendes, who represents both players.

Pereira has performed excellently for Leicester since arriving at the King Power stadium from Porto in July 2018. During his inaugural campaign at the club the 26-year-old registered seven assists from right-back and scooped the Foxes Player of the Season award. 

Ricardo Pereira

He has continued this fine form into the current season, with his impressive performances helping Leicester to defy expectations under Brendan Rodgers.

His stellar displays have unsurprisingly attracted interest from a number of clubs with ​Tottenham understood to be ​keen on signing the player in January. Rodgers has categorically denied that the Foxes are looking to sell anyone in the transfer window but that has not stopped Pereira's agent offering out his client's services. 

According to a report by Sport (via ​Sports Witness), during a meeting with Barcelona technical secretary Eric Abidal, Mendes suggested the ​Leicester star as a possible replacement for Semedo should the latter be sold this month.

Nelson Semedo

The likelihood of this transfer going ahead in the upcoming transfer window is slim, particularly for the €40m suggested in the article. Leicester have shown a willingness to part with their key players in the past, as the sales of Harry Maguire, Danny Drinkwater and Riyad Mahrez demonstrate, however all of these moves were completed at a time convenient for the Foxes. 


With James Justin the only recognisable replacement for Pereira in the current squad and with January a notoriously challenging time to bring in replacements,  Rodgers will not want to part ways with the Portuguese international - who still has three-and-a-half years remaining on his contract.


Barcelona's interest is believed to be weak also. The Catalan giants are understood to want to give Moussa Wagué further first team chances if Semedo departs and are keen to use any windfall from the transfer to 'balance the books' following a summer of lavish spending.  

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Source : 90min