Barcelona Showing interested in Athletic Bilbao defender Yuri Berchiche

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona is 'interested' in signing Athletic Bilbao left-back Yuri Berchiche.

Berchiche started his career in the cantera of Real Sociedad but left for rivals Athletic Bilbao at the age of 16. On 8 June 2007 Athletic and Tottenham Hotspur agreed on a transfer, and the player continued his footballing development in England at the club's academy; while playing for Tottenham's under-18 at the Eurofoot Tournament in Belgium, he was named "Player of the tournament", as Spurs won the competition after beating R.S.C. Anderlecht 4–0 in the final.

The player is also said to be open to the idea of switching to the Catalan capital but Bilbao are complicating things.

The Basque club has reportedly demanded Yuri's release clause worth €100 million be paid for the transfer to take place.

Hence, Barca could be forced to look at other options if the Lions refuse to negotiate.

Sporting Lisbon's Joelson Fernandes, Juventus' Federico Bernardeschi and Osasuna's Estupinan are said to be under close monitoring by Eric Abidal.

Yuri Berchiche also played for Cheltenham Town (loan), Valladolid (loan), Real Unión, Real Sociedad, Eibar (loan), Paris Saint-Germain and Athletic Bilbao.