Barcelona to move for £59m striker wanted by Tottenham in January

Willian.Jose_.TEAMtalk

Barcelona are reportedly trying to sign striker Willian Jose from Real Sociedad, just weeks after he almost joined Tottenham.

Jose was very close to making a move to Spurs in the January transfer window, doing his best at the time to try and force the move as Jose Mourinho’s men looked to replace the injured Harry Kane.

The Brazilian striker pulled out of Sociedad’s team to face Espanyol towards the back end last month, such was his desperation to seal a switch to north London.

Jose has now gone on record to say sorry to Sociedad fans, over his behaviour when being linked with Tottenham.

“I saw it as a very good opportunity, to play in the Champions League and the Premier League team and I didn’t get there,” he admitted.

“But I am very happy here.”

But despite Jose’s suggestion that he is still happy at Sociedad, other clubs are now interested in him.

Indeed, Goal reports that Barcelona are reportedly making a move to sign the 28-year-old, who has a £59million release clause in his contract.

Spanish sides can sign domestic-based players outside of the transfer window, although Barca are said to be having the same issues Spurs had in trying to land the player – with Sociedad playing hardball over the price.

 

But the Catalan giants are interested in the experienced attacker, which means that if Tottenham did make an unlikely return for Jose in the summer, they could face increased competition for his signature.