The Catalan media love reporting about Premier League clubs trying and failing to take starlets from La Masia. The Barcelona youth system has lost several huge stars to English football over the years, and it’s understandably an annoyance for the club.
Scouts make no secret of their interest in young players at Barcelona, and there are frequent Catalan articles expressing an irritation at the lurking Premier League interest.
Therefore, when a gem looks like he’s going to stay at Barcelona, despite English interest, it’s covered.
Sport on Tuesday bring up the situation of Abel Ruiz, who they say has signed a contract with Barcelona despite an offer from Manchester United.
Ruiz is just 16 years of age but already very highly rated, and Sport point out that whilst he’s far from the first team now, the Spaniard has everything needed to get into the team one day.
Despite only turning 16 in January, the youngster was part of Spain’s team at the UEFA U17 competition this year.
Manchester United are not the only English club said to have been keen on snatching Abel Ruiz away, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City all linked in the past.
