Towards the end of the January window, Wolverhampton Wanderers let Adama Traoré seal a loan move to Barcelona until the end of the season.
The winger had an instant impact at the Camp Nou, registering an assist in each of his first two league matches, and two more assists in his side’s 4-2 Europa League win over Napoli.
Xavi Hernández was impressed with the 26-year-old’s quick adaptation and Barca chief Joan Laporta also discussed the possibility of making his stay permanent by paying a €30m fee to Wolves.
According to Mundo Deportivo, ‘something has changed’ for the Spain international since Laporta’s admission. He’s managed only one league start and has been restricted to 116 minutes of action in the last five La Liga matches.
Xavi has preferred Ousmane Dembélé [whose contract expires in June] in recent fixtures and journalist Xavier Bosch states Traoré ‘seems more timid in his football, somewhat less sparky’. He also failed to have an impact in the Europa League ties against Galatasaray.
Bosch further states: ‘His dribbling is still devastating. He starts standing still and there is no defence to stop him. His explosive start, as a 100-metre runner, makes him gain an advantage very easily. But, then, it is difficult for him to choose the good pass option’.
Traoré faced similar issues at Wolves and these problems now seem to be cropping up at the Catalan club.
Barcelona have their eyes set on Leeds United star Raphinha and are also looking to reopen talks with Dembélé over a new deal.
If both these deals take shape, then Traoré will find it hard to stay at Barcelona beyond this season.
