Barcelona are interested in signing Sporting Gijon’s young centre back Jorge Mere, according to Mundo Deportivo. The Spanish publication report that Chelsea are also monitoring the 20 year old.
The newspaper say that Gijon have already received two formal offers from Fiorentina and Sampdoria for the Spaniard, while Malaga, Valencia and Real Betis have all made enquiries for the defender.
Mere has performed well for Spain at the European Under 21 Championships, starting three out of four games so far at the tournament. He made 32 appearances for Gijon last campaign, but the Spanish club were relegated from La Liga at the end of last season.
The centre half has a contract until 2020 with a previous release clause set at €30million, but with Gijon’s relegation, the clause has been cut in half to €15million (£13.2m) leading to a transfer scramble for one of Spain’s brightest young defenders. With Chelsea selling defender Nathan Ake to Bournemouth for £20m, will they seek to replace him with another promising talent?
