Remeber Kevin-Prince Boateng? The former AC Milan star who currently plies his trade for a mid-table Italian club is now reportedly set to join Barcelona in an unexpected transfer.
According to Sky Sports, the Ghanaian will cost the Catalan giant roughly $2.25M (£1.75M) in a season-long loan with the option to buy for $9M later in the summer. This comes only six months into his Sassuolo career.
The former AC Milan ace moved to Serie A after leaving Eintracht Frankfurt and enjoyed a good start with his Italian outfit, scoring four times in 13 appearances. However, he has now agreed terms with Barcelona and will thus be moving on.
Should this loan be finalized, the Camp Nou side will be the latest European team that Boateng will play for. The 31-year-old has donned the jerseys of the likes of Hertha Berlin, Borussia Dortmund, Schalke, Tottenham, Portsmouth, and Milan.
This will not be his first time in Spain, as he enjoyed a short spell with Las Palmas in which he scored 10 times in 28 appearances. However, playing alongside Messi and Co. will be something new.
This move has left many shocked. While some are disappointed that the Spanish giant has gone from being linked with Frenkie De Jong to signing Kevin-Prince Boateng, others could not help but poke fun at this news.
Barca fans early January: We are going to sign De Ligt to boost our defense and De jong to play alongside Arthur Champions league here we come
— Kay (@Kaypoisson1) January 21, 2019
Barcelona: Bienvienido Kevin Prince Boateng
Barca Fans: pic.twitter.com/7Uj5nqd0IL
Kevin-Prince Boateng?! Barcelona fighting against relegation or to win the Champions League?!
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) January 21, 2019
65th minute.. Barcelona vrs Manchester city
— Kay (@Kaypoisson1) January 21, 2019
Scores 1-1
Suarez down injured.
Pep Guardiola makes a substitution
Mahrez comes on for sterling
Suarez cant continue with the game.. on comes Kevin Prince Boateng
Messi: pic.twitter.com/GHqdEYMVKd
Vidal's reaction when he hears Boateng could be beside him in the Barcelona midfield... pic.twitter.com/xcIKax8k7i
— Goal (@goal) January 21, 2019
Now that Kevin Prince Boateng is going to join Barça, I hope he finds a way to hurt Suarez on training as a revenge to what he did to Ghana back in 2010,
— Kalyjay (@Kalyjay3) January 21, 2019
Kevin Prince Boateng close to moving to Barcelona in what appears to be the strangest transfer of January.
— hash (@hashim0307) January 21, 2019
Kevin-Prince Boateng has announced his loan move to Barcelona to his Sassuolo team-mates. A remarkable transfer, as per @DiMarzio.
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) January 21, 2019
If this Barcelona transfer goes through, Kevin-Prince Boateng must have one of the strangest career paths ever. pic.twitter.com/JecGBtP8jV
— Sibs (@SibsMUFC) January 21, 2019
Don't judge a signing based on its cover. Vidal and Paulinho proved how good they could be if given the chance due to their great character. Boateng is known for his great character and will only be here on loan. If he's bad, he'd just stay on the bench like Munir used to. pic.twitter.com/d8zuvvXyFr
— G (@PassToMessi) January 21, 2019
However, reinforcement is needed. Munir El Haddadi has left the club for Sevilla and both Denis Suarez and Malcom are linked with moves to the Premier League. This would leave Valverde short on attacking options as he hopes to end the club's wait for a Champions League title.