Barcelona are tracking the progress of Colombian prodigy Neyser Villarreal ahead of a potential transfer. (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
The 20-year-old, who plays for Colombian outfit Millonarios, made huge waves at the South American U20 Championship earlier this year.
He was one of the standout players in the tournament, bagging eight goals and four assists, including a hat-trick against Paraguay.
The talented forward’s contract with Millonarios expires in December, and he has declined a renewal offer to pursue a move to a top club.
Atletico Madrid had reportedly reached an agreement worth €4 million with Millonarios, but the young forward and his agents turned down the move.
The La Liga giants are looking to sign Villarreal in a bid to strengthen their talent pool.
Due to their financial crisis, the Catalan giants have heavily leaned on cut-price deals and talented youth prospects in the transfer market in recent years.
Villarreal has featured in 21 games for Millonarios’ first team, racking up three assists. He has shown flexibility to play as a winger and an attacking midfielder.
The Blaugrana are unlikely to invest in a new striker this summer due to the presence of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.
The wing position needs more depth for Hansi Flick’s side to compete on all fronts, especially to break their drought in the Champions League.
Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams is high on Barca’s wishlist, having failed to sign him last summer.
Villarreal’s compatriot Luis Diaz is also on the Blaugrana’s radar, with his future at Liverpool subject to intense speculation.
The Reds are locked in negotiations to extend the Colombian’s contract, but his valuation makes a move to Barcelona look complicated.
