Barcelona are eyeing talented young Uruguayan midfielder Nicolas De La Cruz and considering signing the teenager in the summer, as per reports.
Uruguayan radio Rádio1010 (h/t AS) have reported that Barcelona have set their sights on the highly rated Uruguayan midfielder Nicolas De La Cruz, and are now considering signing the 19-year-old from Liverpool FC Montevideo.
Nicolas De La Cruz is a 19-year-old midfielder who has made an impression in his native Uruguay for being a highly versatile footballer, with the diminutive youngster showing that he is equally adept at playing as an attacking midfielder, support striker and even a left-back.
Rising through the ranks at Liverpool FC Montevideo, the teenager is already a full member in the club’s first team, having made his senior debut in 2015. Having impressed in his first year with the club, De La Cruz has progressed further this season, scoring four goals while providing two assists in 11 games in the Uruguayan Primera Division.
De La Cruz is also a key member of the Uruguay under-20 national team, and having represented the side in eight games already, he has found the back of the net once. In close to two years since making his senior debut, De La Cruz has displayed excellent technical skills and his electric pace makes him a dangerous proponent for opposition defences.
Suffice to say, his exploits with Liverpool have resulted in clubs across Europe sit up and take notice, and Barcelona are the biggest club to set their sights on the 19-year-old. De La Cruz was recommended to the Barcelona scouting department by his compatriot Luis Suarez, who was impressed by the teenager’s explosive qualities.
And now, Barcelona are closely tracking the progress of De La Cruz, with the possibility of signing the midfielder in the summer looming large. With attacking midfield being one department that has caused trouble for the Blaugrana boss Luis Enrique, it is not hard to guess why he would feature prominently on their list of priorities for next season.
Barcelona would also be enthused by the fact that the Casal Group own the rights of De La Cruz, and with the establishment having an excellent relationship with various La Liga clubs, including Barcelona, getting their hands on on the 19-year-old could get a step closer.
The world has taken notice of De La Cruz and Barcelona are the first big club to track the youngster. It now remains to be seen if the midfielder joins his compatriot Luis Suarez at Camp Nou, or if some other club joins the race to sign him.
