Barcelona to renew Jean Michael Seri interest in January after calling deal off to intensify pursuit of Liverpool ace Philippe Coutinho during summer
Nice ace was prime target for Nou Camp giants, but interest cooled once it became clear Brazilian's signing would be complex
BARCELONA will return for summer transfer target Jean Michael Seri in January, according to reports in Catalonia.
The Nice midfielder was one of a number of players the Nou Camp giants had looked at in the wake of the world record £198million sale of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain.
Barca had agreed terms with the Ligue 1 side over Seri's transfer, but the move suddenly fell through — reportedly so they could concentrate full throttle on a deal for Philippe Coutinho.
And, as neither of the two arrived, insist the Catalans will renew their interest in the "new Xavi" once the winter window opens in January.
Barcelona were ready to break the bank in order to secure the services of Coutinho.
But Liverpool stayed firm and refused to part their their No 1 asset.
A deal for Angel Di Maria made sense given he would complement the current attack perfectly in the absence of Neymar — and the Brazilian's arrival at the Parce des Princes was thought to bring his price down.
However, the Catalans failed to reach an agreement with PSG.
Seri was instrumental as Nice mounted a title challenge in France, before eventually finishing third.
He helped his side overcome Ajax in the second preliminary qualifier for the Champions League — before being knocked out against Napoli at the final hurdle.
Should Barcelona sign him in January, he would not be cup tied for Europe's premier competition.