Barcelona encounter a delicate problem in pursuit of 22-year-old forward | OneFootball

Barcelona have operated quite curiously in the transfer market so far, with the club focusing heavily on the retention of youth players.

It seems Barcelona are banking heavily on the multiple youth players at Barça Atletic, who are coming on the back of a stellar campaign.

One of them is Pau Victor. The Girona striker was on loan at Barça Atletic last season, even emerging as the top scorer in the third division with 20 goals.

Barcelona had the option to sign Victor permanently for a fee of just €3 million, but the clause expired in April. But as the Catalans look to negotiate a deal with Girona for Victor, they are facing multiple headwinds.

Barcelona’s priorities lie elsewhere

A recent report from Mundo Deportivo has added some interesting insights into Barcelona’s pursuit of Pau Victor.

Although there is still a possibility of Pau Victor returning to Barcelona this summer, the player must exercise patience.

Barcelona want to re-sign Pau Victor (Photo courtesy: FC Barcelona)

That is because Barça are currently prioritising the acquisition of a new winger. Therefore, Victor must wait for Barça to generate the Financial Fair Play margins and make a move for their top targets before the club shift their attention back to the Girona starlet.

Another delicate problem for Barça

Barcelona, meanwhile, will face a delicate setback in their pursuit of Pau Victor.

The player is currently 22 years old but turns 23 during this season (in November), and the club cannot register him in the reserve team. As such, he has to be registered as part of the first team.

A 2014 law entails that any footballer over 23 years old who belongs to a reserve team cannot participate in matches with the first team.

This could create many complexities, as Barcelona must free up space in the wage bill before signing any other player in the market, let alone Pau Victor.