The
Spanish club could lose many of their young talents, with Julio
Pleguezuelo set to join Arsenal, while Sergi Canos is attracting
interest from Liverpool and Tottenham.
Chelsea have agreed a
deal to sign 16-year-old Barcelona starlet Josimar Quintero at the end
of the season, with the Liga leaders braced to lose several promising
talents to the Premier League.
The Ecuadorian attacking
midfielder has told the Spanish club that he will not be taking up their
offer of a senior contract, which will enable him to move to Stamford
Bridge this summer for a nominal fee.
A fast and direct
creator of chances from wide or central positions, Josimar joins
defender Julio Pleguezuelo in the latest exodus of Barcelona's
youngsters.
Pleguezuelo, a player in the mould of Carles Puyol, has
already told staff at Barca that he is leaving for Arsenal in the
summer, while 16-year-old forward Sergi Canos is actively encouraging
offers from English sides.
Canos, one of three Barca players
called up by Spain for an international tournament against France, Italy
and the Czech Republic in April, has been pursued by Liverpool and
Tottenham. Like Josimar and Pleguezuelo, the striker has made it clear
to his English suitors that financial terms significantly superior to
those on offer at Camp Nou will convince him to move abroad.
The players' first professional contract offers a window for Premier
League sides to take advantage of Barcelona's much-admired academy
programme. Fifa rules prevent individuals under the age of 16 from
moving overseas except under special circumstances, but also bar
academies from signing their best graduates to long-term professional
contracts until they have reached that age.
Should a club
from another European league wish to offer them an alternative deal at
16 they must only pay the developing side Fifa-mandated compensation in
lieu of a transfer fee. The maximum sum due for for a player who has
spent four years in a 'Category 1' club such as Barcelona is €360,000.
Scouting then poaching youngsters from Barca's Under-16s has become a
common strategy for the Premier League's more affluent clubs. Arsenal
targeted Cesc Fabregas in 2003, rapidly turning him into a regular
first-team player and eventually making him their captain before he
forced a Camp Nou return for €29 million plus variables eight years
later. Gerard Pique joined Manchester United in 2004, returning to
Catalunya four seasons later for £5m.
Views from Spain:
"Sergi Canos joined Barcelona from Castellón two years ago after
rejecting offers from Valencia, Villarreal and Atletico. As a right
winger, Canos has very good physical strength and speed. He works hard
and is disciplined, but can go missing in games.
"Josimar was
born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, but he has lived in Barcelona for the
majority of his life. Josimar stated out as a striker, but was converted
in a midfielder around the age of 14. He is also extremely proficient
at right-back - very much in the mould of Dani Alves.
"Despite
his young years, Julio Pleguezuelo has already played for Atletico
Baleares, Espanyol and Atletico Madrid before joining Barca. He is known
for his superb control of the ball and defensive capabilties and can
play at either centre-back or right-back. He is often compared to Carles
Puyol."
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