Villarreal are reportedly keen on signing 22-year-old Spanish forward Ferran Jutgla, valued at around €10 million by Barcelona, this month.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Ferran Jutgla is the subject of interest from Villarreal over a move in the ongoing transfer window. The 22-year-old Spanish forward is open to joining the Yellow Submarine, with Barcelona likely to demand around €10 million for him.
Ferran Jutgla was a journeyman in his youth playing days, representing six clubs in age-group football before making his first-team debut for Sant Andreu. After representing Espanyol for three years, the youngster joined Barcelona in June 2021 and has since made significant progress at the Catalan club.
The 22-year-old made his first-team bow for Barcelona in December 2021 and has since made five more appearances for the Blaugrana, scoring two goals in the process. Jutgla’s progress has not gone unnoticed, with several clubs in Spain and across Europe, including Villarreal, setting sights on him.
The interest from Villarreal stems from Paco Alcacer’s inconsistent performances in the last two years. The former Barcelona striker has flattered to deceive for the most part, and Unai Emery’s frustrations have boiled over as a result.
With Boulaye Dia and Samu Chukwueze representing their respective nations at the Africa Cup of Nations, Villarreal will need immediate reinforcements this month to compete with Gerard Moreno. To that end, the club have been linked with several strikers of late, including Luka Jovic, with Jutgla also a viable target.
Villarreal’s objective this month is to offload Paco Alcacer before attempting to sign the 22-year-old from Barcelona. Priced at around €10 million, the Yellow Submarine should be able to afford him, with Jutgla himself open to leaving Barcelona to seek regular game-time in a first-team squad.
Apart from Villarreal, Jutgla is also a target for Premier League outfit Leeds United, although the La Liga club could soon take the lead in the race to sign him. Villarreal will be approaching Barcelona to begin negotiations in the coming days, and it might not be surprising to see a €10 million deal being agreed between the two clubs before the January transfer window slams shut.
