Barcelona step up chase for Mauricio Lemos

FC Barcelona are still in search of a central defender to add to their ranks this summer and are targeting a host of names which includes Las Palmas player Mauricio Lemos.

Barça are eager to improve their back line for next season and following the departure of Marc Bartra to Borussia Dortmund, the Catalan giants have seen Mauricio Lemos as a perfect replacement and will try as much as possible to get the 20-year old to wear the colours of Barça from next season.

According to Canarias7, Barça already made a first bid for Lemos last month of €4 million plus variables that may see the fee rise to €12 million, however, Las Palmas rejected the offer claiming it is insufficient to lure the player out of the club.

Reports from Spain today have stated that Barcelona are not giving up just yet on Lemos and will make an improved bid of €8 million plus €4 million variables to try and convince Las Palmas to let the player go. Barcelona are also willing to give Las Palmas one of their players on loan although no names have been mentioned.

Lemos is a tough-tackling defender that has good ball control skills. The youngster is a Uruguay international and made ten Liga appearances for Las Palmas in 2015/2016.

Barça have been monitoring the player for a long time since he was in Russia at Rubin Kazan. The Catalans see him as a player with great potentials and will lead the team in future so they need to close the deal as soon as possible.