Where next for Barcelona youngster? Does the Premier League beckon?
Over the years La Masia, Barcelona’s famed youth production line, has churned out some wonderful players.
Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabreags etc., and, as of late, it seems as though the next crop of potential world-beaters are ready to emerge.
Lead by the Spanish Under-21 captain, Thiago Alcantara, there are many of who will go on to grace football fields far and wide but, if you believe the murmurs from the Camp Nou, none are as highly regarded as Gerrard Duelofeu.
The youngster, who only recently signed a contract extension at the Catalan club, has only made a handful of appearances since making his first-team debut back in 2011.
Heralded within the confines of the Catalan club, Duelofeu is known for his pace and trickery and, as countless youtube videos are beginning to show, an eye for goal.
His path to the first team however, is blocked. A certain Lionel Messi plays in his preferred position and while many thought the 2013/2014 season would be Duelofeu’s breakthrough, the club apparently thought otherwise and splashed out on Neymar.
This ‘mega’ signing has signaled the clubs reluctance to place all their trust in their youth system and, with Pedro and the wonderfully inept Alexis Sanchez still around, where does that leave the fledgling youngster?
Barcelona’s position is clear, they don’t want to sell and can only being forced to do so if someone meets his buyout clause, a measly 35 million Euros.
However, a loan deal is beginning to look imminent. Sevilla, fresh from the sale of Jesus Navas to Manchester City are known to be interested and, with a gaping hole on their right side of attack, Duelofeu’s father has publicly mentioned that his son would consider them should they make an offer.
Perhaps, albeit against Barcelona’s wishes, the players future may lay elsewhere. Borussia Dortmund, whose coffers have swelled since Mario Gotze’s decision to leave for Bayern Munich are also rumoured onlookers although the players’ insistence that he is happy in Spain seems a stumbling block.
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