As the summer transfer window gets closer, Barcelona are starting to sketch out their strategies to build a formidable roster for the next season. A couple of incomings are already on the way, while there are expected to be several exits in the coming weeks.
However, at the same time, some of the players who are currently away on loan could get a chance under Xavi Hernandez to stake a claim for a spot in the squad for next term.
According to Santi Ovalle, one such player who Xavi wants to keep at Barcelona in the summer is Alex Collado.
The 23-year-old La Masia graduate looked set to make a big splash at the first-team level this season after enjoying an impressive campaign with Barça’s B team in 2020/21. However, he was never given a proper opportunity by Ronald Koeman, who deemed Collado surplus to requirements.
The versatile winger came close to joining Club Brugge on loan only to see it collapse before a deadline day temporary switch to Sheffield United also fell through.
Having not been registered with the Barcelona first team or the B team, the 23-year-old spent the first half of the season with no form of professional football. And as soon as the January transfer window opened, the young starlet secured a loan move to Granada.
Collado has featured 15 times for his loan club, scoring two goals and registering an assist as well.
And now, the aforementioned report is stating that the 23-year-old has seemingly done enough for Xavi to hand him an opportunity in the pre-season before next term, with the manager keen on keeping the La Masia ace at Camp Nou.
Collado’s ability to play on the flanks or as a central midfielder would certainly help Xavi add more depth to the squad in multiple positions. The 23-year-old has immense potential and given the opportunity, he can grow into a regular for Barcelona.
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