Barcelona are dealing with the troublesome activity of discovering a long-term successor to star striker Robert Lewandowski, and given the tight scenario with their wage restrict, it seems to be like their important methodology of doing so for the time being will probably be taking gambles on youthful gamers.
In response to Sport, Barcelona are one of many European sides which have been provided the prospect to signal 19-year-old ahead Neiser Villarreal. The teenage expertise is beginning to make his first inroads into skilled soccer with giants Millonarios in his native Colombia, however his contract scenario might result in him transferring on sooner somewhat than later.
Barcelona will request UEFA’s permission to carry a minute of silence earlier than their match in opposition to Benfica to honor Dr. Carles Miñarro. @javigasconMD
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Out of contract on the finish of 2025, Villarreal’s brokers have him within the good place from their perspective. He has up to now turned down Millonarios makes an attempt to resume his deal, and after a profitable under-20 South American Championship, now has curiosity from Europe. Sport say he could possibly be out there in the summertime for €3m, or as a free agent on the finish of the yr. Millonarios had closed a €4m take care of Vasco da Gama, however his brokers have refused to barter with non-European golf equipment.
Naturally, Barcelona are usually not the one facet Villarreal, nor the one one provided the younger expertise. The Catalan day by day checklist Porto, Watford and Premier League giants Newcastle United as different potential locations for him, with the previous two possessing a historical past of bringing in abilities from Colombia. Director of Soccer Deco and his scouting crew are Villarreal.
Thus far for Millonarios, Villarreal has performed 11 instances giving one help in 146 minutes of motion. Nonetheless it’s for Colombia’s under-20 facet that he has impressed with 10 objectives in simply 14 video games. Six of these got here on the South American Championship, making him the joint-top scorer within the competitors. Barcelona won’t need to miss out on a younger expertise, however have had honest warning with the Vitor Roque experiment that the participant in query should be prepared – though Villarreal could be an funding for Barca Atletic somewhat than the primary crew.