Barça confirm agreement with Man City for Bravo |
FC Barcelona have officially confirmed that goalkeeper Claudio Bravo will be leaving Camp Nou this summer after the club’s technical secretary Robert Fernandez stated publicly that they have reached an agreement with Manchester City for the transfer of the 33-year old shot-stopper.
Bravo has been linked with a move away from Barça for a while now after it was speculated that the club have decided to make Marc Andre Ter Stegen their first choice goalkeeper in all major competitions this season. It was reported that Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City were interested in his purchase and it seems as if that is the case after Robert Fernandez confirmed after Barça’s 6-2 win over Betis that there is an agreement.
“We have an agreement with Manchester City for the sale of Claudio Bravo,” Robert Fernandez said when addressing the press. “We wanted to renew his contract but then Manchester City made an offer and he made his decision.”
This means it is very likely that Claudio Bravo played his last game for Barça against Real Betis. Robert Fernandez however stated that Barça will sign a goalkeeper before Bravo leaves for the English club and it looks like Jasper Cillessen is the man after reports claim the Ajax goalkeeper has reached a 5-year agreement to join Barça.
“We will sign a goalkeeper before Claudio Bravo leaves for Manchester City,” Robert said.
Claudio Bravo joined FC Barcelona in the summer of 2014 and since then has played an integral role in the success of Luis Enrique’s team. He has won a total of 8 trophies for the club including two La Liga titles, one UEFA Champions League, 1 UEFA Super Cup, one Spanish Super Cup, 2 Copa del Reys and one FIFA Club World Cup.
Bravo has also seen great success with his national team since joining Barça, winning the last two editions of the Copa America with Chile. He is a great shot-stopper with wonderful leadership qualities. His ability to use his feet is the main reason Pep Guardiola is a huge admirer of his as he suits his philosophy. Bravo will be missed.