Friday 19 August 2016 12:00, UK
Guillem Balague says Barcelona boss Luis Enrique is holding up Claudio Bravo's transfer to Manchester City as he wants a recognised goalkeeper for their La Liga opener.
Barcelona host Real Betis on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 3, as they start the defence of their Spanish title.
However, Barca's other goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, has suffered a knee injury and is not expected back for another three weeks, which saw Enrique call upon Bravo for his side's Spanish Super Cup triumph over Sevilla.
Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Balague says the injury to Ter Stegen has delayed matters but expects the deal to go through upon his return.
"Barca and City have agreed a fee. Bravo's family are saying 'we are going to Manchester'. The only one stopping things now is Luis Enrique because he wants to have a top goalkeeper against Real Betis, just as he did against Sevilla in the Spanish Super Cup," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"Ter Stegen is injured, but it's only that. Ter Stegen will return after the international break, at which point I see Bravo going. Barcelona will then have to look for a replacement."
Barcelona have been linked with a move for Diego Alves as a potential replacement for Bravo, but Balague does not expect that deal to materialise.
"I don't see it being Diego Alves of Valencia. It looks like Jasper Cillessen of Ajax is a potential candidate, Pepe Reina has been mentioned but Luis Enrique doesn't want him," he said.
"Luis Enrique wants a top quality goalkeeper to fight with Ter Stegen for his position as number one."
