Riqui Puig vows to stay at Barcelona and fight for place | OneFootball

Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig is intent on staying at the club and fighting for his spot in the first-team squad despite the club’s intentions to loan him out this campaign.

A new report in Marca has claimed that the player’s father met with senior Blaugrana officials on Monday to clarify his son’s position and desire to remain at the Camp Nou to prove the doubters wrong.

It follows on from Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman opening the door for the central midfielder leaving on a temporary basis this season as he is not in his plans, despite the exits of Arthur Melo, Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal, although Miralem Pjanic has arrived.

Puig was omitted from the matchday squad to face Elche in their Joan Gamper Trophy pre-season clash this weekend in anticipation of an exit.

Puig, 21. made three senior appearances for the Catalan giants in 2018/19 and is widely regarded as one of the brightest talents to come through their La Masia academy in years.

Puig made his La Liga debut on 13 April 2019, starting in a 0–0 draw against Huesca, and played 67 minutes, before starting in a 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo in May.

The midfielder made his senior team debut with first team against Cultural Leonesa in a 4–1 home victory in the Copa Del Rey in December 2018, as he came on in the 55th minute and assisted the fourth goal. He described his debut as ‘a dream come true’.

It was not until Quique Setien’s appointment at the Camp Nou earlier this year that Puig enjoyed prolonged prominence in the club’s matchday squads as he made 12 appearances last season.