Share

Alcacer happy with supporting role at Barca

Barcelona - Spanish international striker Paco Alcacer recognised he will have to make the most of relatively few opportunities to make his mark at Barcelona as back-up to a fearsome front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

Alcacer was presented at the Camp Nou on Thursday after completing a €30 million move from Valencia on the penultimate day of the transfer window.

"I have come to the best club in the world, the club that plays the best football. To be here with Suarez, Messi, Neymar, I am going to learn a lot from them," said Alcacer, who signed a five-year deal with a €100 million buyout clause.

"The role (I have) is for the coach to decide. The season is long and there are lots of games and all the players that are here are going to do their bit.

"I came here to improve as a player, I have to take the opportunities I have."

Alcacer's signing ended a long wait for Barca to replace Pedro Rodriguez, who left for Chelsea last August, as a fourth forward option behind the star South American trio.

However, sporting director Robert Fernandez insisted Alcacer can make an impact.

"You have three forwards of an unrepeatable level, but Paco is going to help us a lot. There are a lot of matches during the season."

Alcacer is likely to make his debut on Saturday when Alaves visit the Camp Nou and could even do so from the start with Messi struggling with a groin strain and Neymar and Suarez recently returned from World Cup qualifiers in South America.

Meanwhile, director of sporting institutional relations Albert Soler, confirmed Barca are looking into their legal options against Brazilian club Santos over the transfer of Gabriel Barbosa to Inter Milan.

Barca had a first refusal option on Barbosa, who starred alongside Neymar as Brazil won Olympic gold last month, due to the complicated series of agreements that brought Neymar to Catalonia in 2013.

"We are in a judicial process. There was a first refusal clause that Santos didn't comply with," said Soler.

"We will decide in the next few days, but on the sporting side it hasn't affected us."

Barcelona daily Sport reported Santos did not give Barca three working days to match Inter's €29.5 million euro bid as they were contractually obliged to.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE