Barcelona are reportedly set to face competition from Manchester City in the race to sign Las Palmas prodigy Alberto Moleiro this summer.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are set to be rivalled by Manchester City for the signing of Las Palmas’ teenage attacking prospect Alberto Moleiro. The 18-year-old is also being chased by Real Betis, Villarreal and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
A product of the Las Palmas youth academy, Moleiro made his first-team breakthrough for the Spanish outfit only last season and has managed to make a big impression with his performances. The 18-year-old forward, who can play on either flank or slot in as a No. 10, finished the 2021/22 campaign with three goals and an assist from 35 appearances in La Liga 2.
While the numbers might not exactly be mind-boggling, the innate qualities and potential that Moleiro has seen him attract attention from several clubs across Europe. Barcelona are one of the most prominent sides showing an interest in the 18-year-old prospect. However, they are now set to face competition from Manchester City.
Barcelona have been focusing a lot of their energy on youth recruitment of late, after having reaped great rewards by putting their faith in a young crop of players like Pedri, Gavi, Ansu Fati and Ronald Araujo, among others. The Catalans have already signed Pablo Torre, regarded as one of the finest young talents in Spain, and are now chasing the transfer of Moleiro.
The Blaugrana have held talks with Las Palmas, with whom they enjoy a good working relationship, having signed Pedri from the club in 2019. However, they are now running the risk of missing out on the 18-year-old Moleiro, with competition for the youngster’s signing heating up with each passing day.
Indeed, reports had already indicated that Villarreal and Eintracht Frankfurt had launched offers for Moleiro, and now Manchester City have also entered the fray for the signing of the Las Palmas whizkid.
Manchester City have a renowned youth development facility, which is churning out exciting young talent like Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, James McAtee and Tommy Doyle, among others. The Premier League champions are keen on keeping the conveyor belt of prospects running, having identified several promising players to add to their youth ranks.
A move for Real Madrid winger Peter Federico has been mooted, while Manchester City are also battling Barcelona for Sporting CP wonderkid Sana Fernandes. Now Moleiro, too, has emerged as a potential target for Pep Guardiola’s side heading into the summer.
Apart from Barcelona and Manchester City, Real Betis are also pushing to sign Moleiro, having missed out on the chance to sign Pedri from Las Palmas in the past. With the race for the 18-year-old prodigy heating up, it will be interesting to see where he ends up this summer.