16-year-old Barcelona defensive prodigy Andrea Natali is reportedly on the verge of joining Bayer Leverkusen in a Bosman move.
According to reputed Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Andrea Natali will leave Barcelona as a free agent in the summer transfer window. The 16-year-old defensive prodigy will move to Germany, with the 2023/24 Bundesliga winners Bayer Leverkusen set to secure his services.
Who is Andrea Natali?
Andrea Natali is one of the best young Italian prospects. The teenage prospect is the son of Cesare Natali, who played as a centre-back throughout his career. The Italian youth international has followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a central defender. However, he can also reprise the holding midfield role.
The 16-year-old began his youth career in his homeland, while he represented Bologna, Brera FC, Pont Marina Almogàvers, Cañada Blanch, Udinese, AC Milan, and Espanyol before joining FC Barcelona in July 2021. Natali currently represents Barcelona’s under-18 side, but his spell at the Catalan club will end on July 1.
Natali has entered the final month of his contract with Barcelona, with the two parties not agreeing on a new deal. So, the Italian defensive sensation will leave Barcelona as a free agent in the summer transfer window before embarking on a new adventure. The youngster’s next destination is Bayer Leverkusen.
German adventure beckons
Bayer Leverkusen and Barcelona are becoming familiar foes in the market this summer. Recent reports have linked both clubs with Guido Rodriguez and Aleix Garcia. Barcelona defensive sensation Andrea Natali has now emerged as a target for the 2023/24 Bundesliga winners as they look to bolster their different squads in the summer transfer window.
The 16-year-old can potentially be a long-term replacement for Jonathan Tah amid uncertainties surrounding the future of the German international. While Natali will unlikely establish a foothold in the first-team squad at the BayArena, he is a prospect for the upcoming decade.
As for Barcelona, the Blaugrana will be loathe to lose Andrea Natali’s services as a free agent in the summer transfer window. It will be interesting to see who fills the void left by the departure of the Italian youth international in the under-18 team.
