Riqui Puig has signed a new contract at Barcelona until 2023 with Leeds United handed a blow in their pursuit of the La Liga starlet, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
While Marcelo Bielsa may have been rewarded with about £100 million of new signings in the summer after guiding the Whites back to the promised land, one of the Argentine’s wishes has yet to be granted.
Leeds were linked with a host of technically gifted central midfielders – but to no avail.
A deal for Michael Cuisance collapsed, Ruslan Malinovskyi opted to remain at Atalanta and Emi Buendia stuck around to help Norwich fight for the Championship title again.
90Min suggested Puig was another name on Leeds’ radar, with talks having been held with the playmaker’s agent.
A permanent deal now appears to be off the cards, however, with Puig putting pen to paper on a new contract at Barcelona. A two-year extension has been agreed, with the youngster’s £90 million release clause expected to remain unchanged.
Mundo Deportivo adds that while Puig has struggled to force his way into Ronald Koeman’s starting XI, the long-term absence of Philippe Coutinho and Carles Alena’s potential departure to Getafe could open the door.
There’s still a chance Puig will be allowed to leave on loan, of course, and Barcelona will be fully aware a short-term spell under the esteemed Bielsa would do the 21-year-old’s development no harm at all.
“I am very happy because when I see him playing we can see the total Barca schooling that we like so much,’ Barca legend Xavi Hernandez said of a man who shares his velveteen touch and sublime technical skills (MD).
“(He has) that particular DNA of our game and that is so complex to find in specific players. He sees the play right away. He knows what he has to do at all times and he is intelligent.
“The truth is he is a boy who breathes talent and who plays easy. He has self-confidence, personality, does not hide and asks for the ball.”
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