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Barcelona to complete shock signing of Championship wonderkid
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Norwich and Barcelona are on the verge of completing a deal for a highly-regarded English attacker, according to Sport Witness.
Ajay Tavares is the subject of interest from Barcelona, who have focused recent efforts on signing young talents for cheap to develop and either bring into the first team or sell for a profit.
The clubs are awaiting FIFA approval to complete the deal.
Barcelona need to wait until Tavares turns 18 in December 2027 to bring him to Spain. The newspaper Sport reported that Tavares also holds a Portuguese passport, which could allow him to make the move before his 18th birthday.
Barcelona’s new youth transfer philosophy
In late January, Barcelona started to focus on signing teenage talents who the club can mould into classic Barca players.
Patricio Pacifico, a 19-year-old Uruguayan left-back, is one of the first players signed as part of that plan. He arrived from Uruguay’s Defensor Sporting.
Roony Bardghji was signed with a similar plan in mind, but he fast-tracked his way into the first team and made 19 appearances for the senior side in his first season at the club.
Barcelona lost wonderkid attacking midfielder Dro Fernandez to PSG, who paid slightly above the player’s release clause to preserve the relationship between the clubs. Fernandez was after more playing time, but could not break into the senior side with the likes of Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo, Pedri, and Gavi able to play in his position.
The Blaugrana are also eyeing 20-year-old Ajax winger Mika Godts, although he would likely be much closer to the first team than Tavares will be once he joins.
Barca were also reported to have sealed a deal for Al Ahly and Egypt youth forward Hamza Abdelkarim in late January as part of the Spanish giants’ youth focus.
Tavares, meanwhile, has yet to make a senior appearance for Norwich. The prospect predominantly plays on the left wing and is admired for his athleticism.
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