Barcelona youngster Nico Gonzalez is staring at an uncertain future at the club following his loan stint at Valencia.
A product of the club’s La Masia academy, Nico got his big breakthrough in the 2021/22 season under Ronald Koeman. However, the 21-year-old’s prominence gradually reduced under Xavi Hernandez before he eventually left for Valencia on loan last summer.
Nico had a mixed season at the Mestalla as he was plagued by a few injury problems. Now set to rejoin Barcelona for pre-season training, the young midfielder is staring at an unclear future.
For starters even though several club officials see Nico as an option for the pivot midfield position, Xavi does not reciprocate the same thoughts. Instead, the club are working on signing Oriol Romeu for the position.
And with Ilkay Gundogan’s arrival, the competition for the interior midfield spots is increased as well.
Despite that, Mundo Deportivo is reporting that Xavi is not entirely against the idea of keeping Nico at the club. The Barcelona manager would want to retain the 21-year-old if there are no ‘better signings’ that arrive this summer.
It is no secret that Barcelona are looking to offload Franck Kessie this summer while Pablo Torre is also likely to be shipped off on loan. So, even with Gundogan’s arrival, if those two exits materialise, there could be room for another midfielder in the ranks.
And, Nico could thus be an option for Xavi to ensure that there is depth in the squad across both pivot and interior positions in midfield as there will be no space for the Blaugrana to sign another midfielder.
Xavi thus wants to take a close look at Nico during the pre-season to see how he fares before a decision is made. In case it is decided that the 21-year-old will leave, on loan or permanently, there is no shortage of suitors, with Real Betis among the frontrunners.
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