FC Barcelona has reached an agreement to sign a highly-rated young star according to transfer market expert Matteo Moretto and SPORT, both citing anonymous sources.
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FC Barcelona is nearing an agreement to sign a highly-rated young star according to transfer market expert Matteo Moretto and SPORT, both citing anonymous sources.
“Barcelona wants Juwensley Onstein, the Dutch center-back from Jong Genk,” Moretto tweeted via X on Friday afternoon.
“An agreement between the clubs is close,” he then added, noting how Onstein “has already agreed to join” Barca and that the Catalan club “firmly believes in the young player’s qualities and wants to create a tailored development plan for him”.
FC Barcelona target Onstein is tipped for bid things
Over at SPORT, the Catalan newspaper explains that the left-footed center back and under-17 international with the Netherlands is regarded as one of the most promising players in his position found anywhere on the European market.
Onstein stands out for his maturity and how well he comes out of with the ball, which is considered a vital quality in Barca defenders.
Starting his journey towards the pro ranks at the Ajax academy, he left for his current Belgian club three years ago and is expected to make a first team debut with Jong Genk in the very near future.
Unsurprisingly, the continent’s top clubs are already well aware of Onstein to the point that seven-time Champions League winner AC Milan has registered its interest in signing him.
Given Barca’s progress in negotiations, however, the Blaugrana now appears to be the frontrunner in the race to land the teenager.
Onstein will have to battle to establish himself as a regular at FC Barcelona
If his potential transfer for an undisclosed fee comes off, Onstein will have to fight to establish himself as a regular at the Spotify Camp Nou under head coach Hansi Flick.
Pau Cubarsi’s elevation to the first XI as a 16-year-old shows that Barca isn’t afraid to throw young defenders in at the deep end, and the Dutchman would ideally become a long-term partner to the La Masia product.
At present, though, there is strong competition from established stars such as Eric Garcia and Ronald Araujo, while usual left back Gerard Martin has also put in strong performances this term at the heart of the FC Barcelona defense.