Spanish giants FC Barcelona have said that “quick adaptation” and a familiarity with Europe’s major leagues was the reasoning behind their loan-signing of Kevin-Prince Boateng from Serie A side Sassuolo.
Barca confirmed the deal had gone through on Monday and includes an option for them to sign the Ghanaian international at the end of the loan contract, for a fee believed to be €8million.
Boateng has struggled to settle since leaving Schalke in 2015, and has spent the last four seasons hopping between clubs in Serie A, the Bundesliga and La Liga.
He joined Sassuolo from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2018 but made just 13 league appearances – and has now chosen to trade Serie A for what is likely to be a back-up role to Luis Suarez at the Nou Camp.
The Ghanaian has struggled to settle since leaving Schalke in 2015, and has spent the last four seasons hopping between clubs in Serie A, the Bundesliga and La Liga.
The club said: “Kevin-Prince Boateng is a footballer who will guarantee a quick adaptation to the team.
“Aware of the four major European leagues – he has played in Bundesliga, Premier League, Serie A and Spanish League – he is a player who has scored goals wherever he has played.”
Barca had reportedly been interested in Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata, but the Spaniard was unwilling to settle for a place on the substitutes bench, and instead looks set to join Atletico Madrid on loan for the rest of the season.
Former Arsenal striker Carlos Vela and Girona’s Cristhian Stuani were also considered, but the club have instead opted for a player with experience of playing for one of Europe’s top sides – albeit briefly at AC Milan between 2010-13.
Boateng will be presented to the Nou Camp faithful on Tuesday ahead of Barca’s Copa del Rey second-leg outing against Sevilla at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
He becomes the club’s second over-30s signing of the season following the summer arrival of Arturo Vidal, and joins Jeison Murillo as coach Ernesto Valverde’s second January capture.
