Former Barcelona wonderkid could be ideal signing for three EPL giants

RB Leipzig president Max Eberl is ready to cut former Barcelona prodigy Ilaix Moriba loose in the summer after an underwhelming loan spell at Valencia.

Once considered among Europe’s most talented up-and-coming midfielders, the 20-year-old ran down his contract at Spotify Camp Nou before joining Die Roten Bullen in 2021.

However, he failed to find his feet at the Red Bull Arena, registering just two league appearances for Leipzig during his maiden Bundesliga season.

Moriba didn’t even last a year in Germany, with the club shipping him out to Valencia in January 2022 on loan until the end of the 2021/22 season.

After a decent six-month spell at Mestalla, the Spaniards swooped in for the highly-rated youngster again last summer, yet the second loan stint has not gone according to plan. 

With Valencia fighting tooth and nail to lock down their La Liga status, Los Murcielagos will unlikely activate the buy option in Moriba’s deal if they suffer relegation.

Unfortunately for the player, the creative midfielder seems to have no future at Leipzig, as stated by Leipzig president Eberl.

“I don’t want any player who doesn’t want to play for Leipzig,” he commented on Moriba’s imminent return to base, as relayed by Fabrizio Romano.

Although his development has stuttered after leaving Barcelona, the Guinea international still has plenty of time to get his career back on track and fulfil his potential. 

But his next move may well define his future as we take stock of potential landing spots for the wantaway Leipzig star, who drew interest from Crystal Palace last summer.

Liverpool

It’s been a thoroughly abysmal season for Liverpool, and Jurgen Klopp – if he stays in charge – will be looking to revamp his midfield options when the transfer window opens for business in the summer.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita will leave Anfield when their contracts run out at the end of the season, leaving the German manager with bare bones in the middle of the park.

In addition to long-serving stalwarts Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, the highly-rated teenager Stefan Bajcetic will likely have a prominent role on Merseyside next year.

James Milner has entered the autumn of his playing career and could depart the Reds, while Thiago Alcantara cannot catch a break, picking up injuries one after another. 

Liverpool will have to add a few pieces to their midfield jigsaw, and Moriba could be a solid option, especially should Leipzig decide to offload him in a cut-price deal.

Manchester United

Erik ten Hag put his stamp on the Manchester United squad during his first transfer window at Old Trafford, changing the face of the team that had struggled for years before his arrival. 

Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Marcel Sabitzer have moved in to boost the Red Devils’ engine room. But there’s still ample room for improvement, as witnessed by the club’s recent Premier League form. 

Fred and Scott McTominay could part with United in the summer after struggling for regular first-team football, which would open a couple of slots for new additions. 

Donny van de Beek is another candidate to cut ties with Man Utd, as not even Ten Hag’s appointment has helped him establish himself at the Theatre of Dreams. 

For years, the Red Devils have been chasing Barcelona ace Frenkie de Jong, who’s been out of reach, while competition for Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham is as stiff as it gets.

Moriba could be an exciting profile if United opt for a low-cost solution to strengthen their midfield.

Arsenal

Stretching back to the glory days of Arsene Wenger, runaway Premier League leaders Arsenal have always had a special affection for super-talented youngsters. 

Signing hot young prospects and developing them into top-class players has been the club’s policy since the Frenchman’s tenure, and nothing has changed since his departure.

But after young hopes, such as Albert Sambi Lokonga and Fabio Vieira, failed to live up to expectations, the Gunners turned to a more proven solution in the shape of Jorginho last January.

Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta, none of those transfers has panned out as expected, as he’s been left with senior stars, including Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey, to run the show in the midfield. 

So Arsenal may have to dip into the market at the end of the season to handle the shortage of quality midfield options, with Moriba emerging as a gamble worth taking.