BARCELONA PRESIDENT HOPES TO STOP ‘EXCELLENT’ PLAYER JOINING BURNLEY
Barcelona president Joan Laporta is hoping to keep the ‘excellent’ Arnau Tenas as Burnley offer the goalkeeper a new start in the Premier League.
While touching on a range of topics – confirming a 100 million euro offer for Frenkie de Jong and admitting that he expects Clement Lenglet to join Tottenham Hotspur on a permanent basis – there was also something to prick up the ears of Burnley supporters during Laporta’s wide-ranging interview with Esport3.
The Premier League newcomers want a new goalkeeper this summer.
And, after missing out on Vincent Kompany’s former Anderlecht starlet Bart Verbruggen to Brighton and Hove Albion, Sportreports that Burnley have turned to Spain U21 international Arnau Tenas.
The Catalan-born 22-year-old is now officially a free-agent; his Camp Nou contract expiring on Saturday.
There are, however, similarities between Tenas’ situation and that of fellow Spaniard David de Gea at Manchester United. In short, do not rule out fresh terms being belatedly agreed.
Burnley eye Barcelona goalkeeper Arnau Tenas
“We offered him a renewal,” Laporta explains. “He is an excellent footballer. He is captain of the (B team), and always generates a good environment.
“(This week) we will speak with him and with (his agent).”
Tenas, meanwhile, will not have a firm answer for either Barcelona or Burnley until the U21 European Championships comes to an end later this month.
“What I can tell you is that I am with the national team,” Tenas says. “And, when I finish this tournament, I will make a decision.”
As you might expect given his La Masia roots, Tenas is a goalkeeper very confident with the ball at his feet. And any glovesman in a Kompany team must be capable of operating almost as an extra outfield player, given the manager’s possession-orientated gameplan.
If Burnley opt for a more experienced option, the Clarets could go for Royal Antwerp’s Jean Butez. Butez kept 27 clean sheets in all competitions as Antwerp secured the Jupiler League title for the first time since 1957 last season, and the Belgian champions will not stand in his way if Burnley step up their interest.
“Jean had his best season ever,” CEO Sven Jaecques tells Gazet van Antwerpen .
“At the age of 28, he has reached a good age to make a transfer. And (he has) already indicated that he wants to take the next step.
“If that opportunity comes, we will not block Jean. Provided that the right price is offered.”
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