Alaves vs Barcelona - Valverde won't rule out further arrivals at Barcelona

Posted Saturday, August 26, 2017 by PA

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde hailed the signing of Ousmane Dembele and refused to rule out bringing more players to the Nou Camp in this transfer window.

The Catalan giants signed the highly-rated France international for 105million euros (B#96.8million) from Borussia Dortmund - the second highest transfer fee of all time behind Neymar - on the eve of their LaLiga match with Alaves.

Dortmund revealed Dembele's fee could rise to 147million euros (B#135.5million) with a possible 42million euros due in additional bonus payments.

The 20-year-old will wear the number 11 shirt vacated by Neymar, who swapped Barca for Paris St Germain earlier this summer for a world record B#200.6million fee.

"He (Dembele) is a player that guarantees us depth. Something we've lost and need," Valverde said at a press conference.

"He can play on both sides and gives us many possibilities. Fast, deep, technical. Let's hope he brings us many things."

When asked if he is still keen to sign more players, with Barca having bids for Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho rejected, the Spaniard said: "We're going to wait. Until the market closes we have time."

Dembele is set to have a medical at Barcelona on Monday and will therefore not be available to face Alaves, who lost 1-0 to Leganes last Friday.

Striker Luis Suarez will also miss the clash as he is out for up to four weeks after suffering a knee injury in the second leg of the Super Cup against Real Madrid last week.

Andres Iniesta is back in contention after missing the second Super Cup tie and Barca's opening league fixture against Real Betis due to a thigh problem.

Defender Gerard Pique is also set to return after he sustained a knock at the Bernabeu and was an unused substitute in the 2-0 win against Betis.

Alaves coach Luis Zubeldia, who took the reins from Mauricio Pellegrino after he left for Southampton, is looking forward to hosting Barca at Mendizorrotza Stadium.

"For me to play in Mendizorrotza has a special flavour and more so against FC Barcelona," the 36-year-old said.

"We have to be efficient with and without the ball because I can't imagine having a lot of chances.

"For us, it's a game that has a special flavour."

Alaves defender Hector Hernandez is the club's only injury doubt after missing training for a few days due to discomfort in his knee.

In the same fixture last season, Barca thrashed Alaves 6-0 - their heaviest defeat at Mendizorrotza - but the Basque club did win 2-1 at the Nou Camp last term.

Lionel Messi could become only the second player from the top five European leagues to reach 350 goals for the same club against Alaves.

He currently has 349 and if he scores on Saturday would follow in the footsteps of Bayern Munich great Gerd Muller, who netted 365 Bundesliga goals.