March 6, 2021, PAMPLONA, NAVARRA, SPAIN: Ilaix Moriba of FC Barcelona, Barca celebrates a goal during the spanish league, LaLiga, football match played between CA Osasuna v FC Barcelona at El Sadar Stadium on march 6, 2021 in Pamplona, Navarra, Spain. PAMPLONA SPAIN - ZUMAa181 20210306_zaa_a181_264 Copyright: xEduardoxSanzx
According to transfer news from Mundo Deportivo (h/t Mirror), Chelsea are set to step up their pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Ilaix Moriba amid a contract standoff.
A product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth academy, Moriba made his breakthrough into the first-team earlier this year in a Copa del Rey encounter. With time, manager Ronald Koeman started using the teenager frequently, as he ended the campaign with 18 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal and assisting three more.
Likened to Manchester United and France midfield superstar Paul Pogba, Moriba has entered the final year of his contract with Barcelona. Talks over a new deal, though, have hardly gone as per plans for the club, with the teenage prospect rejecting the deal that has been offered, as he holds out for a bigger pay packet.
As a result, Barcelona have demoted him to train with the developmental squad until an agreement is arrived at. And should one not be reached, given their financial problems, the Catalans may very well have to sell him, instead of losing him for nothing a year down the line.
And, alerted by this, Chelsea are now lining up a swoop on Barcelona for the 18-year-old Moriba. The Blues have an abundance of talent in midfield already, with N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic being the first-choice starters while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is also an option now that he is back from his loan stint.
Billy Gilmour and Conor Gallagher will also stake a claim for a spot next season once they return from their loan stints with Norwich City and Crystal Palace, respectively. Nonetheless, a special talent like Moriba should not be let go of.
It now remains to be seen, if Chelsea are successful in their bid to lure the prodigious midfielder to the Bridge this summer.
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