21-year-old Barcelona starlet secures €6m Serie A move – Romano | OneFootball

The season may still be underway, but FC Barcelona appear to be getting a head start on their summer business, both in terms of potential arrivals and confirmed departures. While no incoming signings have been finalized just yet, the club has reportedly completed its first sale of the upcoming transfer window.

La Masia has always been a never-ending production line of young talents, many of whom go on to make it big in the first team at Barcelona. However, there are also a few players who are not able to break into the Catalan club’s senior team but go on to have a very good career elsewhere.

Mixed pathways of La Masia

Players like Marc Cucurella, Dani Olmo, Alejandro Grimaldo and Thiago Alcantara all came through the Barcelona academy before moving abroad and having a very decent career. Olmo, among this list, is back at the club at the moment.

Now, one player who was sent out on loan this season was Alex Valle. Despite an impressive pre-season under Hansi Flick, he was sent to Celtic for the first half of the campaign before he joined Como for the second half and let a lasting impact.

In total, across the two clubs, Valle has managed to play 33 games across all competitions, providing 5 assists. Now, as per Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the 21-year-old has joined Como permanently with the Italian club pleased with his progress.

Romano has mentioned that Como will be paying Barcelona a €6m transfer fee for his services, €4m of which will be paid now, with €2m in the future. There is no clarity as of yet on whether or not the Catalan club own any future rights of the player, be it a buy-back clause or a sell-on percentage.

Alex Valle has finalised his move to Como. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

What lies ahead for Valle?

Valle showed enough promise at Barcelona for Hansi Flick to consider him as a potential left-back backup to Alejandro Balde but the German coach decided to go with Gerard Martin. However, the 21-year-old will have to build his career elsewhere.

Though Alex Valle’s journey at Barcelona ends here, his promising displays during loan spells in Scotland and Italy have earned him a new chapter at Como. Under the guidance of Cesc Fabregas, the 21-year-old will have the chance to grow in a competitive environment with a manager who understands development firsthand.

Valle’s future still looks bright and his progress will be one to watch in the seasons to come.