The Catalan media continue to cover Ilaix Moriba’s future on a daily basis, with it being increasingly thought he’s going to leave Barcelona, whether now or next summer.
Having rejected a renewal proposal, and requesting a higher salary, the 18-year-old and his family have been the subject of much criticism, quite a lot of it well over the top.
Chelsea have been the club most linked, joined in recent weeks by the likes of Manchester City and RB Leipzig. At the weekend it was reported Barcelona are looking for around €20m for their player, which seems an inflated price given his lack of experience and contract situation.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were pushed out in front, and Monday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo says there’s interest from the Premier League, ‘especially Chelsea’.
The report focuses on Moriba’s decision to represent Guinea internationally. That’s the country of his birth, so it’s a natural choice, despite him representing Spain at youth level.
Mundo Deportivo suggest this decision could be partly motivated by securing a work permit for the Premier League. Appearing internationally would help Moriba get the points he needs to secure the paperwork.
However, given he won’t start playing for Guinea until after the current transfer window, and would need to build up a group of matches, that feels like a stretch.
Chelsea can test Barcelona’s resolve over a sale this summer, because given the financial situation they’re in, they can hardly be rejecting something like €15m, if their plan would then be to banish Moriba to the stands.
The Blues would then push for a work permit, and use the fee paid for such a young player as a reason to grant an exception.
Alternatively, they could sign him and loan him to an overseas club where a work permit would be easier to get.
