La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly holding discussions to sign 17-year-old Ecuadorian attacking sensation Allen Obando.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Allen Obando is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The Catalan giants are in talks to sign the 17-year-old Barcelona SC Guayaquil attacking sensation. Antonio Alvarez, a presidential candidate for the South American club, has revealed the information while claiming the youngster has been a target for the Blaugrana for months.
Alvarez said, “This team has been behind me and Allen for many months. They asked me to go on the 12th of this month, but I couldn’t go because I didn’t want to leave the team alone because it’s a family. On Friday, Barcelona’s sporting vice-president, Jose Luis Nogales, went with Carlos Obando, Allen’s father, and they were at the Barça-Rayo Vallecano game.”
“I went to Barça and spoke to the directors of Barcelona, we spent about three hours looking at their facilities. I spoke with Rafa Yuste, Barcelona’s number one vice-president. I did not speak to Laporta because he had a health problem. We talked and met with Deco, the club’s sporting director.”
Who is Allen Obando?
Allen Obando is one of the brightest young prospects in his homeland. A native of Quito, the 17-year-old began his youth career at Tolita Sport before arriving at Barcelona SC Guayaquil. He has gone from strength to strength in the last half a dozen years and broke into the first-team squad in August 2022.
The Ecuadorian attacking sensation has also broken into his national team, making his debut in March against Guatemala. Obando has turned out 17 times thus far for Barcelona SC Guayaquil, chipping in with two goals and two assists. Meanwhile, the youngster’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of Barcelona.
From Barcelona to Barcelona?
Barcelona’s interest in Allen Obando is intriguing. The Blaugrana signed Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense, with the youngster arriving in January. However, the Brazilian international has struggled for game time and might leave Barcelona in the summer transfer window amid emerging links with several well-known clubs.
So, it is unclear how Obando might fit into the scheme of things at FC Barcelona. However, the 17-year-old South American attacking sensation can first slot into the reserve team before breaking into the first-team squad. Nevertheless, the Catalan giants are in talks to sign the teenage prospect, who can move to Europe this summer after turning 18 in June.
