La Masia has always been an icon of youth development in the world of football. The likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, and Andres Iniesta among many other greats of the game, have all emerged from the youth ranks of FC Barcelona.
In recent times, this tradition had been somewhat lost. However, there seems to be gradually coming a return to trusting the youth more so once again. Despite the likes of Gavi, Ansu Fati, and Alejandro Balde all becoming mainstays of sorts in the first team, there are those that prefer to diverge and go their separate ways.
The case of Ilias Akhomach is no different. The 18-year-old Spanish winger is expected to leave the club’s ranks once his contract with Barca Atletic comes to an end in the summer. Choosing not to renew at the moment, the player’s talents have not gone unnoticed.
Top clubs such as Sevilla and AC Milan are reportedly interested in the youngster, while Premier League side Leeds United have already been involved in advanced talks with the player’s entourage.
In the most recent of reports from SPORT, however, it is reported that current Premier League leaders Arsenal are also interested in the player. Known for their youth development and progressive system themselves, Arsenal are a solid choice for the succession of young players and they are currently showcasing that by trusting the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard as mainstays within their own league title-challenging team.
FC Barcelona are reportedly frustrated with their current inability to tie down and extend the stays of two of their youth academy gems, Ilias Akhomach, and Victor Barbera.
However, they seem to be willing to take no such risks with the prodigious talents of one Lamine Yamal, the 15-year-old La Masia starlet making waves in the under-19 despite his much younger age. The latter’s situation has been advanced much more so by FC Barcelona as they continue to keep tabs on the youngster’s agent, Jorge Mendes.
