?Barcelona have apparently reached an agreement to sign Willian Jose from Real Sociedad, following the news that Ousmane Dembélé will ruled out for up to six months after undergoing hamstring surgery in Finland.
Barcelona have now confirmed that Dembélé will not be available for selection for another six months, ruling his out for France at Euro 2020 and at least until the start of the 2020/21 season for the club.
“The striker was continuing his recovery from the hamstring injury when he was forced to retire from a training session at the Ciutat Esportiva last week. Subsequent tests confirmed a complete rupture to the tendon in the proximal hamstring of his right leg.”
Although Dembélé’s six-month injury lay off will come as a blow for Barcelona, they could be about to be given special permission from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to make a new signing outside of the transfer window.
According to RTVE (via Sport), Barcelona expects to be given the green light by the RFEF and they’ve apparently even reached an agreement with Real Sociedad ahead of a move for striker Willian Jose.
The 28-year-old was targeted by the club during the January transfer window but they ultimately rejected a move due to his €70m release clause.
At this moment in time it’s not known exactly why Real Sociedad would let Jose leave San Sebastián for half of his release clause, especially during a time of the season where they can’t sign a direct replacement.
Although Jose has lost his first-team place this season, 20-year-old Alexander Isak is the only other recognised centre forward available for the club.
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