Why Barcelona wonderkid Moriba is the bargain of the summer

Cameron Smith

Updated: 23 May 2023 08:54 CDT
4 min read

Barcelona's current mess stands to get even worse in the coming days.

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They still need to reduce their wage bill by approximately 25 per cent, Lionel Messi looks set to join Paris Saint-Germain, and talented youngster Ilaix Moriba could leave for a bargain.

Yes, that's right. Moriba, who broke through into the first-team during the last campaign, is likely to move on this summer.

It's been reported that Moriba has rejected a new contract from Barcelona this summer, and Laporta has gone on record to say: “We will try to make sure that his case is not repeated anymore. He has one year left on his contract and does not want to accept the club’s conditions. We do not accept that and we want to send a message to the team.

“If you do not want to renew, we have other solutions. What we don’t want are players made at La Masia who don’t want to renew. He’s a player we’ve given opportunities, but the club is above all. I would like you [Moriba] to think again.

“We cannot allow him to be promoted and then leave. We won’t accept that with any player.”

Moriba's current deal at the Camp Nou does expire in 2022, hence why Barcelona are willing to sell, rather than lose him for free next year. Their financial woes means any extra cash is a welcome bonus; losing such a talented young player is simply a consequence of their poor recent dealings.

ESPN have reported that Moriba is available for between €15-20 million, which is quite simply a bargain.

The 18-year-old made 18 appearances for the senior team last season, and his promotion from Barcelona's youth team has attracted attention from clubs all around Europe.

Who is interested in Moriba?

Several reports have suggested that a whole host of European clubs have expressed an interest in Moriba, and for such a cheap fee, many more will join them.

Both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are rumoured to be sniffing around, while RB Leipzig and Marseille are two clubs who could offer game time to Moriba.

In the Premier League, many clubs will start viewing Moriba as a good option. Chelsea were linked earlier in the window, and could go back in for him, although with such a quality squad, Thomas Tuchel may refrain from hunting down Moriba.

Both Arsenal and Manchester United need central midfielders, although La Masia graduate isn't quite ideal for either team. He's not a No.10 like Arsenal are after, nor is he a No.6 like Man Utd want; he's a No.8.

However, if Paul Pogba does leave Old Trafford, then Moriba is perfect, and even at the Emirates, Mikel Arteta could switch to a 4-3-3, and use Moriba alongside Emile Smith-Rowe and Thomas Partey.

He would also be an excellent replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum at Liverpool.