FC Barcelona has concluded its Asian tour, from which Hansi Flick has drawn many conclusions ahead of the start of the season in 10 days. During the first preseason matches, the German coach tested several youth players such as Roony Bardghji, Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernández, and Toni Fernández with very good results. “It’s very important to have young players close by, on the bench,” said the coach after the third game in Korea, in which Barça won 5-0 in their third victory on Asian soil. The young players’ performance is good news, but the reality is that there is no room for everyone in the first team, and with the reserve team’s relegation to Segunda RFEF, many have outgrown the club. There have already been several departures from the youth team and another could be on the cards, namely that of Jan Virgili.
Jan Virgili does not want to be in Segunda RFEF
Jan Virgili was one of the players called up to return to work under Hansi Flick, but shortly afterwards he had to return to the reserve team to train with Juliano Belletti.
This decision did not please the player, who believes he is better than that. It is reported that the youth player has told the club that he wants to leave the team, as Segunda RFEF, the division to which the reserve team was relegated last season, is too small for him and could slow down his progress. Virgili enjoyed meteoric growth last season after arriving from the youth team of Nàstic de Tarragona.
He was key in winning the Youth League title and the club is confident in his potential, but they are not happy with the player’s attitude and will not make any effort to keep him if he wants a change of scenery. However, they have been firm about the player’s departure. If he wants to leave, an offer of four million for 50% of his rights must be made to the Camp Nou offices.
His departure to Mallorca is stalled
One of the first clubs to show interest in the player was Mallorca. The Bermellón team signed Pablo García this summer and considered continuing to fish in Barça’s waters. The Bermellón club began to make moves, with coach Jagoba Arrasate even calling the player to show his interest and explain the project and the role he would have in it.
However, negotiations with the Bermellón team seem to have stalled, as Barcelona’s financial demands are well above the two million euros that Arrasate is willing to put on the table. This amount does not convince Laporta. The door is not closed, as Arrasate wants a winger with Virgili’s profile, but there has been no progress.
Almería puts an offer on the table
In this context, Almería appears on the scene, having approached Virgili’s entourage a few weeks ago. According to SPORT, the Rojiblancos made an offer of three million for 50% of the player’s registration rights and a six-year contract. Jan Virgili is from the same town as the Rojiblancos’ coach, Rubi, which has facilitated communication and the transmission of the offer. The player has no place in the first team and the Andalusian club is looking for a winger with his profile, a player who always looks for his teammate and provides width from both wings.