Ronald Koeman said he is ‘disappointed’ by Ilaix Moriba’s reluctance to sign a new contract, amid reports suggesting the Barcelona star could join Arsenal, Liverpool or Everton, while speaking via Eurosport.
If Koeman was planning to build his Barca midfield around a fresh-faced duo of Pedri and Moriba, it looks like he will have no choice but to tear those blueprints apart and return, rather reluctantly, to the drawing board.
While the masterful Pedri is about as close to ‘unsellable’ as you can get at a club as cash-strapped as Barcelona, it looks increasingly likely that another teenage play-maker will be heading out of the Camp Nou – in very acrimonious circumstances.
According to Sport, Moriba has no plans to extend his contract at the five-time European champions.
It is understood that his representatives are demanding a substantial pay rise – one a club in Barcelona’s financial predicament is in no position to offer.
Talks with a whole host of Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham and West Ham United, have now taken place amid claims that ‘the young Paul Pogba’ could be available for as little as £14 million (90Min).
Will Ilaix Moriba ever play for Barcelona again?
“Ilaix’s situation is horrible,” said Koeman.
“My advice is that money cannot be the most important thing for an 18-year-old. It’s about playing games. But the player and his camp think differently. I am disappointed.”
Moriba, who has also been linked with Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, has been left out of Barcelona’s squad ahead of this weekend’s La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao alongside the transfer-listed Samuel Umtiti and Miralem Pjanic.
The graceful midfielder has been told in no uncertain terms that, should he stay and see out the final year of his contract in Catalonia, he will not kick a ball again under Koeman.
There are two options available to him: either he puts pen to paper or he goes before the month is out.
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