Spanish giants Barcelona have beaten out stiff competition, to secure the signature of a highly-regarded up-and-coming talent.
The player primed to take his talents to the Camp Nou? Mikayil Faye.
Faye, 18, is currently plying his trade in Croatia, with NK Kustosija Zagreb.
The youngster is a centre-back by trade, who is also a regular at youth level for his home country of Senegal.
After catching the eye courtesy of a series of impressive displays this past season, interest in Faye’s signature, in turn, had begun to mount ahead of the summer transfer window swinging open.
As alluded to above, though, late on Sunday, the race for the gifted stopper’s signature, according to reports, has come to an end.
As per a report from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano:
‘Barcelona are set to sign top talented centre back Mikayil Faye from NK Kustosija. Deal done, here we go.’
The move is expected to set the Blaugrana back a sum of €5 million, plus bonuses.
🚨 EXCL: Barcelona are set to sign top talented centre back Mikayil Faye from NK Kustosija. Deal done, here we go. #FCB
Born in 2004, linked with Chelsea and BVB — Barça see Faye as a potential future top player. 🔵🔴
Deal agreed on €5m fee plus add-ons, to be signed soon. pic.twitter.com/BwcUvj4jiu
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 11, 2023
One club no doubt majorly disappointed to hear of Faye’s decision to take his talents to La Liga, meanwhile, comes in the form of Chelsea.
The Blues, it is understood, had identified the Senegalese as a potential star in the making, after being spotted by technical director Christopher Vivell.
The wealth of talented young defenders blocking his first-team path in west London, however, is thought to have played a central role in Chelsea missing out on Faye’s signature.
Chelsea identified Faye very early through TD Christopher Vivell as another exciting talent.
A lack of multiclub set up and host of young defenders (Colwill, Badiashile and W Fofana) are likely factors behind not signing him.
U20 World Cup shows #CFC‘s talent ID is working. https://t.co/jUi7zGDGmd
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) June 11, 2023
Mauricio Pochettino makes decision on top Chelsea transfer target
