Celta Vigo might reportedly attempt to sign out-of-favour Spanish midfielder Riqui Puig from Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Riqui Puig has popped up on the radar of Celta Vigo over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The Galician club will aim to bolster their midfield department ahead of the 2022/23 season, with the Barcelona midfielder emerging as a key target.
Riqui Puig was once widely regarded as one of the most promising young midfielders in Spain, having made a remarkable impact during his days at Barcelona’s famed academy La Masia. The 22-year-old appeared to have a bright future ahead of him when he played under Quique Setien a couple of years ago.
But the Spanish midfielder’s stock has rapidly fallen since the start of the 2020/21 season, and he is now a bit-part player for Barcelona. Puig has garnered only 380 minutes of game-time across 14 appearances in all competitions, failing to impress both Ronald Koeman and Xavi Hernandez this term. With the player’s career headed nowhere, a move away from Camp Nou should benefit him.
Recent reports have claimed that Barcelona could look to loan Puig out in the summer transfer window. And the youngster does not have a shortage of suitors either. Several clubs within La Liga and across Europe have shown an interest in signing him, with Celta Vigo the latest team to emerge in his pursuit.
Celta Vigo could do with the addition of a central midfielder in the summer transfer window. And with Denis Suarez being a big success story of a former Barcelona midfielder who successfully resurrected his career at the Balaidos, Puig could benefit from following suit ahead of the 2022/23 season.
But Celta Vigo might not be the only La Liga outfit chasing Puig, as he has also been linked with Getafe and Real Betis. The out-of-favour Barcelona midfielder is also the subject of interest from Wolverhampton Wanderers and several Serie A clubs.
For now, what looks certain is that Puig will leave Barcelona in the summer transfer window, either on loan or permanently, to resurrect his career. It will be interesting to see if he remains in La Liga by joining Celta Vigo or some other club swoops him away instead.
