Barcelona working to activate two-year extension for 18-year-old La Masia starlet | OneFootball

It is clear that La Masia holds the key to Barcelona’s future, especially amidst the ongoing trying financial circumstances.

With new signings no longer as easy as the club is accustomed to, it becomes vital that Xavi and Co. keep their eyes on the academy for players who could have a role to play with the senior side, thus negating the need for a new signing.

Dani Rodriguez, on that front, is a player who highly interests the management as an option for the coming years.

A position of need

Rodriguez traditionally operates down the left flank as a winger and thus fills a void that Xavi sees as one of the biggest priorities for the summer transfer window. His being left-footed only strengthens his case.

The 18-year-old\s high ceiling and his position on the field place him well in the management’s pecking order of talents in the academy.

In fact, SPORT reveal that the Catalans are now looking to tie down the player to the club for the foreseeable future.

The outlet relays that the teenager’s current deal with Barcelona runs out this summer, and while there is a clause to extend his deal unilaterally for two further seasons at Barça Atletic, it has not yet been executed.

The board’s current plan, thus, is to trigger the aforementioned clause and give the youngster a place in Rafa Marquez’s side from June.

Clubs are attentive

Rodriguez has not enjoyed the best of runs in the ongoing season, mainly due to regular injuries which have kept him out of action.

As a result, he has featured more often for the club’s Juvenil A side than with Barça Atletic, but that will change next season if his renewal goes through.

The 18-year-old is currently waiting for Barcelona to inform him of their stance on his future. Should a renewal not go through, Real Sociedad and Athletic Club are very attentive to his situation and will jump in.

The footballer’s priority is to listen to what intentions Barcelona has with him. If they guarantee him the option to continue growing as a footballer at Barça Atletic and train with the first team, it would be clear to him.

His agent, Pini Zahavi, shares a close bond with Joan Laporta and is working on his future.