Las Palmas wonderkid Alberto Moleiro is a player that FC Barcelona have admired for a while now. The Blaugrana held talks to sign the 19-year-old last summer but could not get the deal over the line due to mitigating circumstances.
However, the La Liga leaders have continued to follow Moleiro closely and are interested in a move for the teenager in the summer as they look to add another creative element to their midfield unit.
But, according to a fresh report from Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are set to face competition from Premier League clubs Aston Villa and Liverpool in the race to sign Moleiro in the summer.
The report states that Barcelona had an agreement with Las Palmas to sign the 19-year-old Moleiro last summer in a deal worth €10 million plus another €15 million in variables.
However, the deal fell through as the La Liga 2 club demanded the entire €25 million fee in fixed payment, causing the Blaugrana to back out of the deal as they were battling Financial Fair Play problems.
Since then, Moleiro has signed a new contract with Las Palmas which has a release clause worth €30 million and could rise to €60 million if the club earns promotion to La Liga for next season.
Be that as it may, as per the report, Aston Villa and Liverpool are now said to be willing to offer up the €25 million fee that Las Palmas had demanded for their prized asset last summer.
The second-division club’s president recently highlighted that several clubs are interested in the teenager’s services ahead of the summer window.
So, it does seem unlikely that they would be willing to accept the €25 million, especially when his release clause stands to rise to €60 million, given as Las Palmas appear well on track for promotion.
The report further adds that in case they do return to La Liga, Moleiro could decide to stay at the club for another season. So, a lot depends on how things go for Las Palmas in the remainder of the campaign.
