Out-of-favour Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig has reportedly emerged as a summer transfer target for Ligue 1 giants AS Monaco and Olympique Lyon.
According to Jeunes Footeux, Barcelona misfit Riqui Puig is attracting the interest of French Ligue 1 outfits AS Monaco and Olympique Lyon heading into the summer transfer window.
Puig is a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth setup. Widely regarded as one of the finest prospects to have come through the ranks at the club in recent years, the midfielder has failed to translate the promise he had shown in his youth career onto the first-team scenes.
Since making his debut for Barcelona back in 2018 under Ernesto Valverde, Puig has featured just 56 times for the Catalans, scoring two goals and three assists. The midfielder was completely overlooked for selection by former manager Ronald Koeman, and things did not improve for him when club legend Xavi Hernandez took over the reins last November.
Indeed, Puig ended the 2021/22 season with only 18 appearances across all competitions, of which just two were starts in La Liga. Barcelona have since signed Franck Kessie and are also in the hunt for Valencia’s Carlos Soler, which would see Puig’s game-time take a further hit.
And the Blaugrana are open to letting the midfielder leave this summer, especially with his contract set to expire in 2023. Puig has attracted the interest of several clubs from within Spain and outside. Now, two teams from Ligue 1 in the form of AS Monaco and Olympique Lyon have also entered the race to land the 22-year-old Barcelona midfield outcast.
Monaco are on the lookout for at least two midfielders this summer as they bid goodbye to veteran star Cesc Fabregas while also selling Aurelien Tchouameni to Real Madrid in a massive deal worth €100 million. Puig, given his ability to play multiple roles in the centre of the park, can be a candidate for the Principality outfit.
Meanwhile, Lyon are also in the market for midfield reinforcements as they are unlikely to sign Tanguy Ndombele on a permanent deal following his loan spell from Tottenham. In addition, Lucas Paqueta could also be on the move this summer, amidst links with the Premier League. Puig, to that end, can be a handy addition to strengthen their options in midfield.
A talented young midfielder, things just have not clicked for Puig at the first-team level at Barcelona. A change of scenery could be the best possible scenario for the 22-year-old as he is unlikely to get game-time at Camp Nou next term. Whether he considers a move to France as a viable option remains to be seen.
