Barcelona seriously considering triggering €5m release clause of 21-year-old Villarreal forward – Report | OneFootball

It is no secret that FC Barcelona is always keeping an eye on players who show promise. For years, the Catalan club has tried to invest in young prospects whenever someone has stood out. Even now, they continue to follow such talents with a lot of interest.

In recent weeks, one youngster who has been linked to the Catalan club is 21-year-old Cameroonian striker Etta Eyong. Currently a player for fellow La Liga club Villarreal, it would appear that Barça’s interest in him is rather concrete.

Barcelona planning to trigger Eyong’s release clause

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According to Fichajes, Barça are seriously considering triggering the €5m release clause of 21-year-old Cameroonian striker Etta Eyong. The move is seen as a calculated bet for the future, with the club intent on securing his signing before other European teams enter the race.

Interestingly, Barcelona do not plan to integrate Eyong immediately into Hansi Flick’s squad. Instead, the idea is to purchase the striker and loan him out to Real Betis for the remainder of the season.

This strategy would guarantee him regular minutes in a competitive environment under Manuel Pellegrini, a coach well known for trusting and developing young talent.

For Betis, the deal would represent a low-risk reinforcement in attack, while Barcelona would ensure that their new investment continues his development in La Liga.

A modern striker’s profile

Eyong has built a reputation as a forward with the qualities of a modern striker. Combining pace, power, and athleticism with sharp finishing, he is capable of leading the line or drifting wide when needed. He recently underlined his potential by scoring for Villarreal in their league opener against Real Oviedo.

The Catalan club’s sporting management, led by Deco, have reportedly been following Eyong’s progress for some time, with an agreement between Barcelona and Villarreal said to already be in place. The only step left is completing the financial transaction itself as per Fichajes.

Strategic move for the future

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With Robert Lewandowski entering the twilight of his career, Barcelona know they must plan for the next generation of attacking options. Signing Eyong at such an affordable price is viewed as a smart and low-risk investment that could yield significant long-term rewards.

If the deal is finalised, the striker would spend the 2025/26 season gaining experience at Betis before returning to Camp Nou. At that point, the club will decide whether to integrate him into the first-team squad or extend his development with another loan.

However, it remains to be seen whether Barcelona actually follow through and trigger his release clause.