La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly closely monitoring the progress of 21-year-old Villarreal attacker Nicolas Jackson.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Nicolas Jackson is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The Catalan giants are in contact with the 21-year-old Villarreal attacker’s representatives. And he might leave the Yellow Submarine as a free agent next summer.
Nicolas Jackson spent most of his formative years in his homeland, with Casa Sports being his last club in Senegal. The youngster moved to Europe in September 2019, joining La Liga outfit Villarreal. And he has made gradual progress since graduating from the Yellow Submarine’s youth division.
The 21-year-old made his first-team debut for Villarreal in October 2021 but featured sparingly last season. However, Jackson has been superb thus far this term, managing three goals and two assists in 19 appearances. But the Senegalese attacker faces an uncertain future at Villarreal as he is in the final year of his contract. Such a situation has captured the attention of Barcelona.
Barcelona will likely enter the market for an attacking reinforcement for yet another summer transfer window. The Catalan giants have bolstered their offensive unit year after year but have not found any stability in the final third. And the decision to look for an attacker stems from the uncertainties surrounding Memphis Depay.
The Dutch international has not been a regular for Barcelona this season and is currently on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. And Barcelona will look to cash in on Depay in the January transfer window amid interest from Juventus. In addition, doubts are beginning to surface around Ferran Torres.
So Barcelona might have to delve into the market next summer, with Jackson emerging as a viable target. The report claims that the Catalan giants are already in contact with the 21-year-old Villarreal attacker’s representatives. And his impending status as a free agent will likely entice the Blaugrana.
The Catalan giants have had a habit to scour the market for potential free agents, and Jackson falls in that category. So while the 21-year-old might not have the qualities of Cody Gakpo, another Barcelona target, he is an option worth considering for Barcelona.
