Barcelona to hold contract talks with midfield prodigy as Chelsea lurk

Transfer News: Barcelona to hold contract talks with Chelsea target Ilaix Moriba

According to transfer news from the Daily Mail, Barcelona are set to open contract talks with Chelsea target Ilaix Moriba. The teenage star has just one year left on his deal. Clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United are circling around for his signature.

A youth product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, Moriba has been with the club for 11 years now. He has been tipped as one of the best talents to have emerged from there in recent times. The midfielder has already been given some first-team minutes in the Copa Del Rey and La Liga this term. He even scored his first goal for the club against Osasuna.

It was during 2019 that interest in Moriba reached its peak, with talk of an extension with Barcelona. Several clubs wanted to bring in the player at the time. Manchester City were even close to signing him but his father pulled the plug on the deal.

Barca keen to keep Moriba

Currently, his deal expires in a year. Talks of a new contract have been doing the rounds but there have been delays due to his wage demands. However, now, it has been reported that the Catalan club are willing to restart contract talks with the teenager. The club is keen to offer him a new three-year deal so that he does not agree to a pre-contract with another side in six months’ time.

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The Blues have gone after youngsters like Kai Havertz in recent seasons. Given the quality Moriba has shown, it is no surprise to see him get linked with a move to Chelsea. Nonetheless, it looks as if the midfielder might be coerced into staying back at Barcelona. This does come as a bit of a blow to Chelsea who were after him.