Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has confirmed that Barcelona are interested in winger Jaden Philogene. The two-footed winger has been linked as a low-cost alternative to the Nico Williams for the Blaugrana, and it is believed the Blaugrana are already in talks over a deal.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Ilicali explained that Barcelona were indeed interested in the English winger, but said that he was negotiating from a position of strength.
“Yes, everything is true. If you ask me, I told my fans that I wouldn’t sell anybody. My idea in football is not to make money. My idea in football is to make a strong and bigger club.”
“But to make a bigger club, sometimes if a player says ‘I want to go’, that’s a different case because for me, changing one player is not end of the world.”
La Masia starlet Unai Hernández has offers and his contract expires in 2025, but today he only wants to succeed at Barcelona and from July 10th, he'll try to convince Hansi Flick. His situation will be reassessed later in the summer. @scapde_45, @tjuanmarti
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) July 3, 2024
He would not stand in the way of Philogene departing. The same outlet also confirm that Barcelona will have competition for him though, with Everton and West Ham United also considering a move.
“But for any of my players, I would never want to ruin their career or their mood by pushing them because of the contract I have. So in that case, if Jadon wants to move and he says that he wants to go somewhere, it is his life.”
According to recent reports in Spain, Barcelona are attempting to negotiate a loan deal that would become permanent based on certain objectives being met. That may well work in favour of the Premier League sides, as they may be able to pay an immediate fee for Philogene, although it seems likely his preference would be to join Barcelona.
