Apart from the very obvious aim of reinforcing the squad, Barcelona are currently focused on tying up young footballers, which according to Mundo Deportivo are goalkeeper Inaki Pena, defender Alejandro Balde and youth team attacker Lamine Yamal.
The Barcelona management is of the idea that the La Masia trio has a great future and this is why they want to improve and extend their deals.
Among all, the priority remains the renewal of Balde. The versatile defender ends his contract in 2024 and Xavi personally wants him to replace Jordi Alba in seasons to follow. As of today, Barcelona are willing to listen to offers for Alba but the fact of the matter is that his current contract runs until 2024.
In any way, even if Alba decides to stay, Barcelona will not hand him a new deal mostly because the management and the coaching staff want Balde to succeed at this position, hence comes the desire of extending his deal.
As MD reports, Barcelona have been in talks with his agent Jorge Mendes for several months and are feeling quite confident about the fact that the negotiation is on right track.
As far as Inaki Pena is concerned, his contract runs out in 2023, meaning that by January 1, he would be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with any team outside Spain.
On a personal level, the stopper is not entirely satisfied with his current situation and it could be understood why. At 23 years of age, he has hardly gotten any minutes and wants to define himself in the senior team.
But as long as Marc-Andre ter Stegen is in goal, Pena will not get many minutes. At Barcelona, there is a feeling that they want him to continue as his availability comes without any financial expense.
Lastly, Lamine Yamal, who will turn 16 in July next year, is considered to be the pearl of the youth academy. It must be noted that he is yet to sign a professional contract, but given his performance, Barça have no second thought over the fact that his continuity is a must.
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