Barcelona are reportedly working on a deal to re-sign former academy ace Kays Ruiz-Atil from Paris Saint-Germain in the upcoming summer transfer window.
According to a report from Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, La Liga giants Barcelona are intent on bringing back former academy trainee Kays Ruiz-Atil and are negotiating over a potential transfer at the end of the season.
Ruiz-Atil, 18, joined the Barcelona youth setup in 2009 from the Lyon academy. The youngster spent six years within the system before returning to France where he linked up with Paris Saint-Germain. Having progressed through the ranks at the French capital club, the teenager made his first-team breakthrough in September last year and has gone on to make seven appearances so far.
However, Ruiz-Atil is staring at an uncertain future at PSG. The 18-year-old midfielder is out of contract with the Ligue 1 champions at the end of the current season. Negotiations over a new deal had begun last year but talks broke down towards the end of 2020, following which he has been forced to train with the reserves.
Indeed, the 18-year-old has not made a single appearance since Mauricio Pochettino took over the reins earlier this year and has only made the matchday squad on a few occasions only. All things are pointing towards a summer exit on a free transfer for the talented teenager, prompting interest from several clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester City.
And, as per the aforementioned report, Barcelona, too, have now entered the fray to try and re-sign Ruiz-Atil once his contract with PSG runs out at the end of the current campaign. It is claimed that the Catalan giants have been closely monitoring the midfielder’s progress ever since he made the switch to PSG from their own academy six years ago.
Barcelona, under Ronald Koeman, have seen a number of young players make quite the impact. The likes of Pedri, Oscar Mingueza, Ronald Araujo have all played key roles in the season so far while Ilaix Moriba is another player who has enjoyed a breakthrough under the Dutchman.
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So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Catalans are looking to recruit another talented youngster like Ruiz-Atil, who the club believes has undeniable quality. And with question marks hanging over the future of Riqui Puig, a new midfield addition makes sense for the club as well.
The 18-year-old is said to be open to the prospect of returning to Barcelona where he would link up with former fellow trainees Ansu Fati and Moriba. As per the report, the Blaugrana are negotiating a deal to get Ruiz-Atil back on the club’s books. It now remains to be seen if they are successful in their endeavours.
