Barcelona considering moves for two former La Masia wingers
According to Sport, Barcelona are interested in not one, but two former La Masia stars in Dani Olmo and Adama Traore.
The two wingers have been in superb form this season, showing that Barca’s famed academy is still capable of producing excellent players.
The Catalan giants’ youth system has been subject to heavy criticism over the last few seasons, with very few players managing to break into the first team. The club’s transfer policy has also come under scrutiny, with several expensive signings limiting the spots available for academy youngsters.
But there’s been a noticeable improvement in the current campaign, with 17-year-old Ansu Fati and 21-year-old Carles Perez in particular being given several opportunities by Ernesto Valverde.
And now, reports in Spain suggest that Barca are very much interested in bringing Dani Olmo back to Camp Nou.
The Spanish winger left La Masia at the age of 16, in a bold move in search of more game time. He went through Dinamo Zagreb’s youth team before establishing himself as an integral first team player, and has now made over 120 appearances for the Croatian champions.
Known for his pace and dribbling, Olmo is also a very composed finisher with a direct style of attacking. His brilliant performances in the Champions League almost helped Zagreb qualify for the last 16.
The 21-year-old has been attracting the attention of several European giants for a while now. A departure from Croatia seems inevitable next summer.
He certainly won’t come cheap for Barca. The move also raises other questions, with the Blaugrana being linked with a summer move for Neymar, apart from other big-money signings Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele who are still with the Spanish champions.
Perez and Fati have also made some big strides forward this season, and it would be a shame to see their progress halted. If moves for Olmo and Neymar materialize, there are certain to be a few outgoing players as well.
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Contact has reportedly already been made with Olmo. Wolves’ Adama Traore is another option if the Spaniard cannot be signed, with the muscular winger becoming an indispensable player for Nuno Espirito Santo this season.