Given how slow things have been going for FC Barcelona in the summer transfer window, it would be safe to assume that La Masia will once again have a pivotal role to play for the Catalans during the season.
Last time out, Barcelona were bailed out by the emergence of players like Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Pau Cubarsi, and Hector Fort.
Heading into the new season, more youngsters from the academy appear set to take centre stage.
Marc Bernal and Marc Casado’s pre-season form has all but convinced the club to not sign a new pivot while another young talent, Alex Valle, has been making a big impression.
Contract extension for Valle
So much so that, Barcelona are set to offer Alex Valle a new contract imminently as manager Hansi Flick is ‘delighted’ with the left-back, reports SPORT.
Valle, 20, returned to Barça this summer after spending the last season on loan at Levante where he impressed. Given an opportunity in pre-season by Flick, the young defender has done exceedingly well even when asked to play as a makeshift right-back.
Alex Valle has impressed in pre-season. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)
Valle’s current deal expires in 2025 and the fact that his release clause went from €30 million to €3 million on August 1 is a matter of concern for Barcelona.
After all, the youngster is attracting serious interest from clubs not only in La Liga but also from the Premier League.
However, Valle’s priority is to stay at Barça and the club’s sporting director Deco, too, intends to retain him – something that was already communicated to his agent in June.
With Valle now winning over Flick as well, his chances of staying in the first-team dynamics have increased heading into the new season.
While an exit cannot be entirely ruled out at this point – a final decision will only be made after the pre-season tour – the idea is for Barcelona to offer the La Masia full-back a contract…
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/barcelona-set-to-offer-20-year-old-la-masia-gem-a-new-contract/
Author : Michel Durant
Publish date : 2024-08-06 11:14:38
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