La Liga champions Barcelona are reportedly tracking the progress of 25-year-old Spanish midfielder Pepelu, whom Xavi has recently met.
According to a report by Spanish outlet MARCA, Pepelu is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The reigning La Liga champions are closely monitoring the progress of the 25-year-old Valencia midfielder at the Mestalla. Meanwhile, Xavi Hernandez recently met the player to congratulate him for his solid 2023/24 campaign thus far.
Who is Pepelu?
José Luis García Vayá, better known as Pepelu, is one of the most underrated midfielders in La Liga. The Spaniard has gone under the radar for much of his professional career thus far. A native of Dénia, he began his youth career at his hometown club but graduated from the Levante UD academy.
The 25-year-old embarked on several loan spells away from Levante without establishing a foothold at the club. Valencia snapped him in a deal worth only €5 million last summer, and the player has been a top-notch addition to the squad. The Spanish midfielder has turned out 34 times thus far across all competitions, chipping in with six goals and one assist.
Meanwhile, Pepelu’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe. A move across La Liga might be on the cards, with Barcelona keeping tabs on the progress of the Valencia midfielder ahead of the summer transfer window.
Barcelona calling?
Barcelona’s interest in Pepelu is understandable. The reigning La Liga champions are scouring the market for a holding midfielder heading into the summer transfer window. A box-to-box midfielder capable of reprising a defensive role is also an option, with Carney Chukwuemeka recently emerging as a target for Barcelona.
As for the eagerness to secure Pepelu’s services, Sergio Busquets’s departure last summer created a gaping hold in the midfield unit at the club. So, it behoves Barcelona to invest in a holding midfielder, bringing the 25-year-old Spanish midfielder into the picture.
Interestingly, Xavi Hernandez recently met the Spaniard to congratulate him for his performances thus far this season. With the Barcelona manager a fan of Pepelu’s exploits, a summer move might be on the cards if things go right for the Blaugrana.
