Barcelona reportedly wants to bring former starlet Kays Ruiz-Atil back to the club this summer. According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are set on bringing back former academy trainee Kays Ruiz-Atil. They are negotiating over a potential transfer at the end of the season.
Kays Ruiz-Atil joined the Barcelona youth setup in 2009 from the Lyon academy. The youngster spent six years and was tagged as “Next Messi”. He progressed quickly through the Barcelona youth rankings thanks to his own performances as a midfield playmaker.
But his dream of representing that first team vanished in 2014 when he was released together with lots of Blaugrana hopefuls. Barcelona had been discovered to have breached FIFA regulations concerning the transfer of players under the age of 18.
Kays Ruiz-Ati then departed from La Masia at a young age. He returned to France where he was linked up with PSG because he aimed to create his first-team bow. Kays Ruiz-Atil signed his first professional contract in 2017 for PSG.
Kays Ruiz-Atil’ life in Paris
During 2017-18 season, Kays Ruiz-Atil played with the U-17 team for Paris Saint-Germain. He notably reached the semi-final of the French Championship, and also won the Al-Kass International Cup.
Ruiz-Atil made seven Ligue 1 appearances for PSG under Thomas Tuchel earlier this season starting in their opening-day defeat to Lens. However, he has not made a single appearance since Mauricio Pochettino took over PSG.
Ruiz-Atil has been demoted to the Under-19 team , and currently playing under Stephane Roche. His opportunities have been more limited in the current campaign leading to degrading his form.
Options for Kays Ruiz-Atil
Kays Ruiz-Atil’s contract expires at the end of the season and will not renew the agreement, making him a free agent pointing towards a summer exit on a free transfer. The talented teenager has grabbed the attention of some big clubs such as Chelsea, Manchester City, and Barcelona.
Chelsea’s new boss, Tuchel, has been trying to convince the teenager to join his side. Adding players with high potential could enhance their prospects for the upcoming seasons.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s arrival in the scenario could spice up the affair, as the league leaders are trying to bolster up their attacking department in the summer. However, Ruiz-Atil is hoping to secure a return to Barcelona once his contract with PSG runs out later this year.
Barcelona ideal destination for Kays Ruiz-Atil?
Barcelona, under Ronald Koeman, has seen a number of young players make quite the impact. The likes of Pedri, Oscar Mingueza, Ronald Araujo have all played key roles in the season.
Kays Ruiz-Atil would be another talented youngster, who the club believes has undeniable quality. And with questions hanging over the future of Riqui Puig, a new midfield addition makes sense for the club as well.
Currently, Barcelona has plenty of options in the midfield, which means the youngster has to fight for his place against the first choice to make his name in the top list. It is believed that Ruiz-Atil would initially link up with the B team for the 2021-22 season. However, Ronald Koeman would hope to promote him to the first team quickly.
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