Barcelona signed talented young Senegalese defender Mika Faye in the summer transfer window, beating Chelsea to his signature.
A report from Spanish publication SPORT claims that Chelsea were close to signing Mikayil Faye as well, and Belgian outfit Genk were keen on the player too. Apparently, Chelsea were already preparing documents to sign the player, but Barcelona managed to swoop in quickly and secure the agreement.
The 19-year-old is highly rated around Europe, and he has a big future ahead of him. He could have been a quality long-term acquisition for the Blues. Chelsea have shown a willingness to invest in talented young players since the change of ownership.
So, it was hardly surprising that the Blues were hoping to add to the pool of young talent at Stamford Bridge. The 19-year-old defender chose to prioritise the sporting project at Barcelona over the economic aspects of joining clubs like Chelsea.
Barcelona are one of the biggest clubs in the world with an exceptional academy. The 19-year-old will be hoping to fulfil his tremendous potential at the Spanish club. It is hardly a surprise that he decided to snub a move to the Premier League.
Barcelona are in need of quality and depth in the defensive department, and the 19-year-old centre-back will hope to establish himself as a first-team player for the Catalan club in the coming season. At Chelsea, he would have faced far more competition for the starting spot.
The defender must prioritise his development at this stage of his career. So, the move to Barcelona could prove to be a wise decision. Chelsea will certainly be disappointed to have missed out on the talented young defender, especially if he manages to fulfil his potential and establish himself as a key player for the Spanish club in the coming seasons.
The Blues are hoping to put together a formidable squad capable of challenging for major trophies in the coming season. And the 19-year-old would have been a solid, long-term investment for them.
Also Read: Chelsea Summer Transfer Window Verdict 2023
It remains to be seen whether they decide to dip into the January transfer window for further reinforcements. Mauricio Pochettino’s men have had a mediocre start to the current campaign and they will need to bounce back strongly if they want to qualify for the Champions League.
