In-demand Barca defender nets UNBELIEVABLE strike on international debut

In-demand Barcelona sensation Mika Faye scored an incredible long-range strike on his international debut for Senegal on Friday night.

Drafted into the squad at the last minute, owing to an injury to Fulham’s Fode Ballo-Toure, the 19-year-old started the game for Aliou Cisse’s side and took very little time to leave a lasting impression.

Latching on to a loose ball following a half-cleared Senegal free kick just ahead of half time, the left-footer steadied himself with a good first touch before rifling an unstoppable shot past Gabon goalkeeper Anse Ngoubi Demba.

READ MORE: Don't believe the hype! England won't win the Euros

It caps a remarkable few weeks for Faye, who, along with Barca first-team star Pau Cubarsi, has become one of the most talked about young central defenders around.

Signed from Croatian third-tier side Kustosija for around €2.2 million last summer by Barcelona Atletic - the club’s B team coached by ex-defender Rafael Marquez - Faye has enjoyed a rapid rise through the ranks.

The Diambars academy graduate went on tour to the USA with Xavi’s first-team squad last summer and sat on the bench for a recent LaLiga match against Real Mallorca, although he hasn’t yet seen action.

Barcelona to cash in on Faye

It’s been reported that Barca will look to cash in on Faye next summer with interest materialising from Tottenham, Nice and other established European teams.

Barca are well stocked at centre back with Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensten and Inigo Martinez already on the books and Clement Lenglet and Eric Garcia set to return at the end of the season from their loan spells.

With Faye becoming prominent so quickly, it could be the ideal opportunity for Barca sporting director Deco to generate some much-needed transfer income without sacrificing any first-team stars.

Barcelona defender Mikayil Faye did *this* on his international debut 🚀pic.twitter.com/Q6IfyLhn2y

— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) March 23, 2024

Club president Joan Laporta is out of financial levers to pull and will listen to offers for players this summer with Raphinha and Ferran Torres among those set for the exit.

The emergence of Cubarsi could even tempt Barca into selling Araujo in a blockbuster move.

A departure for Faye, contracted until 2027, would be a welcome boost for the cash-strapped Catalans.

His current deal includes a €400m buyout clause and it’s reported that Barca have not yet decided whether to include a buy-back option in any deal which takes him away from Camp Nou.

Barca are reported to have turned down a €9m fee from French side Lens in the winter window for the left-sider but interest is likely to increase ahead of the summer transfer period.

Sport believes Spurs and Ligue 1’s Nice are in the race to sign him while Arsenal, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund have previously been mentioned as interested parties.