Munir accuses Barcelona of forcing Ernesto Valverde to overlook him

Munir El Haddadi has accused Barcelona of telling manager Ernesto Valverde not to select him before the striker’s transfer to Sevilla.

According to Sky Sports, Sevilla paid just €1.05m (£937,000) to sign Munir, whose contract with Barcelona was set to expire at the end of the current season.

Why did Valverde ignore Munir? Five key things to know…

1. Munir made 12 appearances for Barcelona in the first half of the season but was handed only one La Liga start.
2. The 23-year-old spent last season on loan at Alaves, for whom he scored 14 goals in 37 appearances across all competitions.
3. Barcelona opted against sending him out on loan this term but Munir found it difficult to break into the first team.
4. He claims to have told Barcelona he wouldn’t be extending his contract at the turn of the year.
5. As a result, Valverde is alleged to have told Munir he will no longer be selected, as per the decision of the club’s hierarchy.

Munir made a total of 33 La Liga appearances for Barcelona between 2014 and 2018, scoring five goals.

Now a Sevilla player, the Barcelona academy product has said the club’s decision to omit him from matchday squads didn’t stop his ambition to carry on working hard.

“I was on holiday (for the New Year break) and confirmed my intentions to the club (of not renewing),” Munir said, (via Football Espana).

“It was then that our coach (Valverde) informed me I would no longer be selected and that was a decision from those above him.

“I never stopped working and I am very glad to be here at Sevilla before the summer.”

Do Barcelona need back-up for Luis Suarez?

Luis Suarez has played 23 times in all competitions so far this season, scoring 14 goals and providing seven assists.

Those numbers mean there is little threat to the Uruguayan’s place in the side as the team’s primary centre forward.

But following Munir’s exit, there is a gap in the squad for a player to provide back-up to Suarez in case of injury or a dip in form.

According to Spanish outlet Marca, Barcelona are considering a swoop for Tottenham striker Fernando Llorente, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

However, an exit from Spurs could depend on the seriousness of Harry Kane’s injury. Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata has been mooted as an alternative.

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