Barcelona in a race against time to dump former golden boy

FT Desk

1 Aug 2022 12:15 CDT
3 min read

Once rated as one of Barcelona's hottest young prospects, Riqui Puig is now on the verge of moving to Major League Soccer with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

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Puig, 22, first broke into the Barca team as a teenage midfielder and big things were expected of the promise, who was born and raised in Catalunya and came up through the famed La Masia youth system.

But his development stalled during Ronald Koeman's ill-fated tenure at the club and he has struggled to get back on track since those tough times.

Now, Sport reports that a move to the United States beckons, an unusual choice for someone of his age and trajectory but which may serve to bring his flagging career around.

Puig is among several Barca first-teamers who have been declared expendable this summer in order to ease the side's massive wage bill and allow for new transfers.

But despite his obvious talents big sides have not appeared with bids for the youngster, leaving him in limbo as Barca strive to remove his salary from their payroll.

California-bound?

Galaxy in turn are keen to add a player of Puig's ability to their squad, as MLS moves away from the veterans' league reputation it used to carry of old and strives to attract top young stars, both from South America and Europe.

The club may also be out to clinch an eye-catching in response to city rivals LAFC, who swooped for both Gareth Bale and Giorgio Chiellini this summer to capture the headlines stateside.

The parties must act quickly, though, as on August 4 the MLS registration window closes, precluding any further transfer activity.

Puig has made 57 appearances to date for Barcelona in all competitions, scoring two goals.

He was sparsely used last term, though, appearing just 15 times in La Liga as both Koeman and then Xavi left him out in the cold.