Manchester City could be set to poach 18-year-old winger Gerard Deulofeu from Spanish giants Barcelona.
Manchester City’s current status means they always need to be on the look out for the next young and exciting star who can give them an edge over their rivals. Gerard Deulofeu is a young and gifted winger who has been playing in the Barcelona B team in the Spanish second division.
He has scored eight goals in 11 appearances so far this season and has earned caps for Spain at Under-19 and Under-21 level. If the reports are to be believed then a move could be difficult for City because it would mean a huge upheaval from Deulofeu as he has been at Barcelona for his entire career having joined the club when he was just nine-years-old.
“Deulofeu had a great season last year, and this year too. He’s a great player, but he has to improve some things to play with the first team. He’s spectacular, but football is much more than producing two moments of flair in a game. Just because in recent years a lot of youngsters have succeeded [here] doesn’t mean anyone can get to the first team,” said Vilanova as reported on TalkSport.
He officially became part of the Barcelona Academy in 2003 and has had a remarkable impact at the club as he has moved up, in terms of side seniority, once every single year. This is the only year that he hasn’t been progressed as Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova suggested he would be better off in the B team for another season meaning City could snap him up at a fraction of the price he would otherwise justify.
He played a main role in the main Barcelona youth team which won the equivalent of the treble in 2011 and he has made four senior appearances since October 2011 suggesting he is being wrapped up in cotton wool as an exciting and valuable prospect.
“He’s already demonstrating his ability, but he has to continue on the right path, have both feet on the ground and work hard, with humility,” added Jose Pinto also on TalkSport.
The winger also has a great deal of experience with international football as he was part of the Spain Under-19 team that won consecutive European titles in 2011 and 2012. He has scored two goals in four appearances for the Under-21 side so far this year.
image: © Will Palmer
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