Barcelona are reportedly tracking the progress of James Hill, having had the 19-year-old Fleetwood Town defender scouted recently.
According to a report by Daily Mirror, James Hill is the subject of interest from Barcelona over a possible move in a future transfer window. The Catalan giants had the 19-year-old Fleetwood defender scouted in a game against Burton Albion recently.
James Hill has come a long way since being released by the academies at Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool. The teenage prodigy’s big break came with Fleetwood Town, becoming the club’s youngest ever player when he made his debut three years ago, aged 16 years old.
Now a mainstay at the back for the League One club, the 19-year-old has amassed 53 appearances while chipping in with a goal and an assist apiece in the process. Hill also earned his maiden call-up to the English under-21 side recently before he pulled out of the squad. His progress has also alerted Barcelona.
The report claims that the Blaugrana had the 19-year-old scouted in a game against Burton Albion recently. While it has not been added whether a January move for Hill could be on the cards, he could be an option worth pursuing for Barcelona.
Recently, the Catalan giants have been linked with several centre-backs, including Matthias Ginter, Jules Kounde and Matthijs de Ligt. The eagerness to sign a central defender makes sense, as Gerard Pique is in the twilight of his career, while Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti have failed to impress of late.
With Eric Garcia struggling to hit the ground running, Barcelona can do with at least one central defensive addition to the first-team setup. To that end, Hill is a viable target for Barcelona, who could sign him on a Bosman move next summer, considering the English defender is in the final year of his contract with Fleetwood Town.
Barcelona are not the only marquee suitors in pursuit of Hill, who has also been linked with Liverpool and Manchester United recently. With interest in him ramping up, it remains to be seen if the 19-year-old secures a big move away from Highbury Stadium.
