Despite having a huge squad of players, Barcelona coach Louis van Gaal is still eager to sign Spanish international Gaizka Mendieta from Lazio.
However, any deal will not necessarily involve Rivaldo moving in the opposite direction. Lazio president Sergio Cragnotti has made no secret of his desire to sign Rivaldo, but Barca appear reluctant to let their Brazilian match-winner go.
“We should try to lure him (Mendieta) here independently,” van Gaal admitted to Marca.
Van Gaal already has a wealth of midfield talent to chose from but believes Mendieta to be the final piece in the jigsaw.
One player who could be sacrificed to make way for Mendieta is Garcia Gabri. The young midfielder has already been told there is no chance of the club improving his current deal. When quizzed about a possible move to Real Betis the Spain star said, “it flatters me that Betis have shown an interest in me.”
