Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso eyes surprise move to sign 21-year-old Barcelona midfielder who may have no future under Hansi Flick: Reports
Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is reportedly eyeing up a move for out-of-favour Barcelona midfielder Pablo Torre. The 21-year-old is likely to depart the Catalan giants after failing to impress new manager Hansi Flick, according to El Nacional.
Torre moved from boyhood club Racing Santander to Barcelona for a reported fee of €5 million in July 2022. At the time of his arrival, he was considered one of the best young prospects in Europe, with fans and media placing him on the same level as Pedri and Gavi.
However, he made just 13 appearances in all competitions for Barca in the 2022-23 campaign, bagging just one goal and one assist. He was subsequently loaned to fellow La Liga side Girona for the 2023-24 campaign.
Despite Girona's highly succesful season, which saw them finish third in the league, Torre did not showcase the potential that brought him to Barcelona in the first place.
The Spaniard made 29 appearances across all competitions, but just five of them were starts. He found the back of the net just once and set his teammates up on two occasions.
After the disappointing spells, Barcelona president Joan Laporta is keen to part ways with the player. However, Alonso seems interested to give him another chance with the newly-crowned Bundesliga champions.
According to El Nacional, Leverkusen have already initiated contact with Barca to enquire about Torre. In this window, they have already signed Aleix Garcia from Girona to reinforce their midfield, and are looking to continue to strengthen their squad.
Barcelona interested in two midfield wonderkids from Real Zaragoza: Reports
Barcelona are reportedly keeping tabs on wonderkid duo Gorka Buil and Samu Borniquel, according to Jaume Mercet of SPORT (via Barca Universal). The teenage pair are currently contracted to Real Zaragoza, and are plying their trade for the youth sides.
14-year-old Buil is widely considered one of the best young prospects in his age group and played for Zaragoza's Cadete A (Under-16) side in the 2023-24 season. A left-footed playmaker, he can be deployed on both wings, as an attacking midfielder and as a central midfielder. Buil is sending waves through the scouting networks with his technicality, dribbling and pinpoint shooting.
On the other hand, Borniquel, who is also 14, is a more well-rounded midfielder who can operate in a deep-lying role. Scouts have noted that he is well-suited to operate as a No. 6 or a No. 8, akin to Blaugrana legends Xavi and Andres Iniesta respectively. His smooth touch on the ball and passing vision are the characteristics catching the eyes of scouts in Spain.
If they move to Barcelona, Buil is expected to be assigned to the Cadete A squad while Borniquel would start off with the Cadete B (Under-15) side.