Barcelona is exploring the signing of 19-year-old Colombian forward Neiser Villarreal, who is impressing with Millonarios. His contract expires in 2025, making him a target for multiple European clubs. With a successful Under-20 Championship under his belt, Villarreal presents a viable investment for Barcelona amidst their salary cap challenges.
Barcelona is currently tasked with identifying a long-term successor for star striker Robert Lewandowski. Given the constraints of their salary cap, the club is leaning towards investing in younger players as a potential solution. Recently, the Catalan giants have been presented with the opportunity to sign 19-year-old Colombian forward Neiser Villarreal, who is establishing himself professionally at Millonarios in Colombia.
Villarreal is under contract until the end of 2025, which puts him in a favorable position as he has declined renewal offers from Millonarios. His recent performance in the Under-20 South American Championship has generated European interest, with Sport indicating that Barcelona could acquire him for €3 million this summer, or potentially as a free agent later. Notably, Millonarios previously reached a €4 million agreement with Vasco da Gama, but Villarreal’s agents have declined to negotiate with non-European clubs.
Barcelona is not alone in pursuing Villarreal. Other clubs including Porto, Watford, and Newcastle United have also been linked with the talented youngster. Porto and Watford have histories of signing Colombian players, making them viable contenders for Villarreal as well. Barcelona’s Director of Football, Deco, along with his scouting team, is actively considering him as part of their strategy.
To date, Villarreal has featured in 11 matches for Millonarios, registering one assist within 146 minutes. However, his standout performances have come in the Under-20 arena, where he has netted 10 goals in 14 games, becoming the joint-top scorer at the South American Championship. While Barcelona recognizes Villarreal’s potential, it remains essential that he is adequately prepared for the move, catering to expectations from the club for possible inclusion in Barca Atletic rather than the first team.
Barca faces a pressing need to plan for the future as they seek a successor to Lewandowski. The potential acquisition of Neiser Villarreal could serve as a strategic investment amid financial constraints. With Villarreal’s rising profile and interest from multiple European clubs, Barcelona must act decisively to secure this promising talent and avoid repeating previous investment errors.
Original Source: www.football-espana.net
