Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig is joining the LA Galaxy in a permanent move, signing a three-year contract. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona and Los Angeles Galaxy decided on a transfer agreement with the movement of central midfielder Riqui Puig. Riqui Puig’s time with Barcelona is finally ending, with the 22-year-old midfielder closing in on sealing a move to MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy. LA Galaxy has moved fast in its pursuit of Riqui Puig.
Riqui Puig’s exit would also clear Barcelona‘s number 6 shirt, which is expected to be given to the 17-year-old Gavi. As Mundo Deportivo first reported, sources hope Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig to join the Galaxy for free. However, Barcelona would have the right to retain a proportion of future transfers. Final details are being discussed now from the player’s side, which is when this is completed. Barcelona will be guaranteed percentages on future sales, as long as that is what they wish. LA Galaxy is reportedly to land another big-name European transfer.
Riqui Puig has made an unexpected move to Major League Soccer, particularly to the LA Galaxy. Puig’s career appears to have turned for the worst after being pushed as La Masia’s next great thing a few days before his 23rd birthday. Puig made his FC Barcelona debut four years ago, but his development had been attentively followed for years before that. Viral footage of his prowess and parallels to Andrés Iniesta date back to his early teenage years. Following the signing of Franck Kessie and the rise of youths like Pedri, Gavi, and Nico Gonzalez, the playmaker will finally acknowledge he is not in Xavi’s plans for the future.
Still, somehow, the argument over his qualities remains. Former B team boss Gerard Lopez spoke to Catalunya Radio about the situation and said Puig’s inability to get a position at Camp Nou isn’t entirely his fault. Xavi has made it clear that he has a proper plan for the current Barcelona team, and many new signings have arrived during this transfer window. Xavi and Barcelona have invested in the youth team, and also the new manager likes to use the youth in the playing eleven.
The Former B team manager also said, “I feel bad because Riqui has talent. It seemed like he had to show more than others. He has been criticised without having played. Others have played that haven’t performed as well. He has either had people backing him or criticising him strongly; he could have done with a middle point.” Many pundits in the market suggest that this young player moving to MLS will ruin his growing career. But all we can do is wait and watch what he provides in MLS.