Jean Michael Seri unaffected by Barcelona transfer breakdown, Andres Iniesta denies rift with Blaugrana president

David Cooper - Writer 11:06 10/09/2017
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Football focused: Seri.

    The transfer window may not open again until January 1 2018 but that hasn’t put an end to plenty of speculation throughout Europe.

    Here, we take a look at three big stories dominating the headlines on Sunday.

    What’s your view on Seri and Iniesta? And should Real sign Werner?

    Let us know your thoughts.

    Get in touch via Twitter and Facebook.

    SERI FOCUSED ON CLUB FOOTBALL

    Jean Michael Seri is “not destabilized” following his failed transfer to Barcelona and is focused on his football with Nice.

    The 26-year-old was on the verge of moving to the Nou Camp club before last month’s transfer window deadline but the Catalan side pulled the plug on the deal at the last minute – instead, signing Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund for an initial €105million.

    Speaking to L’Equipe following Nice’s 4-0 rout over Monaco on Saturday, the central midfield man said: “I turned the page after August 31.”

    While Barcelona and many other of Europe’s top clubs could still re-enter the race to sign the Ivorian star in January, for now, Ligue 1 competition is the only priority for Seri.

    BARCA WILL ALWAYS BE HOME

    Andres Iniesta has revealed he wasn’t trying to undermine club president Josep Maria Bartomeu by confirming he had not penned a new contract extension at the Nou Camp.

    Club legend Iniesta, who is out of contract at the end of the season, had apparently – according to Bartomeu – agreed terms to extend his 15-year Blaugrana stay.

    But the midfielder claimed that was not the case last week.

    However, speaking after Barca’s thumping home victory over Espanyol on Saturday night, the World Cup winner said his home will always be with his club in Catalonia.

    He told Marca: “I spoke with the club, those who know me know that I would never put my personal circumstances into a club situation, I didn’t say what I did to contradict the president, it was the truth about the situation.

    “It has been a long time since we started talking with the club, they are going to do as they please and my only desire is to have a good season and achieve things with this club, whether I stay or not this is my home.”

    A resolution to Iniesta’s contract situation, and indeed Lionel Messi’s, is high on Bartomeu’s agenda to fix before both players will be allowed to negotiate free transfers in 2018.

    BARCELONA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 09: Andres Iniesta (L) of Barcelona is tackled by Papakouli Diop of Espanyol during the La Liga match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Camp Nou on September 9, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images)

    Cool and calm: Iniesta is giving little away about his contractual status.

    REAL KEEPING TABS ON RP LEIPZIG MAN

    Zinedine Zidane is reportedly continuing to monitor the progress of RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner, according to AS.

    Los Blancos have been short of goals in La Liga this term in the absence of the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo while Karim Benzema sustained a hamstring injury against Levante and Alvaro Morata left the club in the summer.

    It has led to speculation the Whites will step up interest in the Germany international in January.

    Despite being only 21, the former Stuttgart youth prodigy has more than an eye for goal and has already bagged four to his name this season.

    HAMBURG, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 08: Timo Werner of Leipzig in action during the Bundesliga match between Hamburger SV and RB Leipzig at Volksparkstadion on September 8, 2017 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Oliver Hardt/Bongarts/Getty Images)

    Hot property: Timo Werner.

    Recommended