(Football news) Once touted as the next Xavi and Iniesta, Riqui Puig is closing in on an exit from Camp Nou after failing to establish himself in the first-team at the club. The La Masia graduate was widely regarded as one of the brightest and most exciting prospects to have come through the ranks when he made his senior debut in 2018 when he was 17 years old. However, he hasn’t been able to translate his promise and potential at the first-team level and struggled to gain a foothold in a struggling Barcelona squad.
Puig has failed to make a lasting impression on any of the managers he has played for at Barcelona, including Xavi, who last season rarely called upon the 22-year-old and asked him to find a new club this summer transfer window. Puig was one among the five players who were left behind by Xavi as the rest of the squad went on the pre-season tour to the USA as he wanted their futures sorted. The Barça squad returns to Catalonia this week and it has been reported that by 13 August, Barcelona need to balance their books out in order to register their new players. Puig could find himself on the plane to the US this time as he prepares to move to the MLS. LA Galaxy are going to sign the 22-year-old and are ready to hand him a three-year contract. The La Masia graduate has agreed personal terms and is moving to the MLS.
LA Galaxy recently have become the second team in Los Angeles after LAFC signed the likes of Gareth Bale and Chielleni. LA Galaxy are home to some well-known footballers like Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez and Douglas Costa but are keen to add younger players from Europe as they wish to compete for the MLS cup. Puig had several offers from other clubs in the MLS and some teams in Spain, but none of them have managed to catch his eye nor meet Barcelona’s financial demands. Puig had time to think and ponder over his situation as the Spaniard considered if a career switch to the MLS was the right move as he can prove his worth in America and then later make a switch back to Europe, hopefully with a big club. With the deadline for new player registration in the league set for August 4, Puig has already made up his mind to join LA Galaxy and Barca have one more player off their ever increasing wage bill.
Also read: Goalkeeper Dean Henderson describes Man Utd treatment as “criminal”
