Africa-Press – Nigeria. Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, has dismissed claims about the January departures of midfielder Franck Kessie and right-back Hector Bellerin.
Laporta insisted that Kessie and Bellerin are in Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez’s plans for the ongoing 2022-2023 season.
Kessie has failed to cement a first-team place at Camp Nou since joining the Catalan club on a free transfer from AC Milan in the summer.
Bellerin, meanwhile, has struggled to get regular playing time since joining Barca on a free transfer from Arsenal.
That has led to reports suggesting that both players could leave the La Liga giants in January.
But speaking to BarcaTV, Laporta said: “Kessie, we are convinced that in the second part of the season, he will be more important. There is Raphinha. Also, Bellerin, who has recovered from injury.
“I hope he is getting better and better. The right-back position is a challenge to consolidate. Luckily, we have Sergi Roberto and Bellerin. We also have Marcos [Alonso].”
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