Hope for Chelsea as Barcelona are open to selling highly-rated 18-year-old starlet

Transfer News: Chelsea target Ilaix Moriba to be sold by Barcelona

According to transfer news from Daily Mail, Barcelona could be open to selling Chelsea target Ilaix Moriba. The teenage star has just one year left on his deal and the club are not being able to meet his demands of a new deal.

A youth product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, he has been with the club for 11 years now. He has been tipped as one of the best talents to have emerged from there in recent times. The midfielder has already been given some first-team minutes in the Copa Del Rey and La Liga this term. He even scored his first goal for the club against Osasuna.

March 6, 2021, PAMPLONA, NAVARRA, SPAIN: Ilaix Moriba of FC Barcelona, Barca celebrates a goal during the spanish league, LaLiga, football match played between CA Osasuna v FC Barcelona at El Sadar Stadium on march 6, 2021 in Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.

It was during 2019 that interest in Moriba reached its peak, with talk of an extension with Barcelona. Several clubs wanted to bring in the player at the time. Manchester City were even close to signing him but his father pulled the plug on the deal.

Barca unwilling to meet Moriba’s wage demands

Currently, his deal expires in a year. Talks of a new contract have been doing the rounds but there have been delays due to his wage demands. Barcelona are now considering the possibility of selling the 18-year-old if he does not lower his demands. That does put his future up in the air and gives Chelsea a good chance to snap him up.

Barcelona s Guinean midfielder Ilaix Moriba R celebrates with his teammates after scoring the 0-2 during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between CA Osasuna and FC Barcelona, Barca at El Sadar stadium in Pamplona, Navarro, Spain, 06 March 2021.

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The Blues have gone after youngsters like Kai Havertz in recent seasons. Given the quality Moriba has shown, it is no surprise to see him get linked with a move to Chelsea. Thomas Tuchel has persisted with a blend of youth and experience. The addition of Moriba could be a welcome one.