Barcelona enter into talks with Boca Juniors youngster Agustín Almendra
Barcelona are looking at signing Agustín Almendra from Boca Juniors
Barcelona have a knack for signing undiscovered talents from Latin America. Some of them become world-class players and some fail to live up to their potential. But Barça scouts in South America, led by Brazilian Andre Cury, are always active.
They have found yet another gem in Argentine defensive midfielder Agustín Almendra. The 18-year old youth international has broken into the Boca Juniors first-team this season, and has been impressing, thus attracting a lot of attention from Europe.
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He played 4 games last season, but was promoted to the first-team squad at the beginning of the season. Almendra has made 9 appearances, providing 1 assist. The youngster has shown brilliant tackling skills, very good intercepting ability and good passing.
He likes to get stuck in, as is evident by the fact that he has already picked up 2 yellow cards this season. Almendra also tends to shoot from outside the box and has the knack for drawing fouls in dangerous areas for free-kick takers.
He seems to be the next Sergio Busquets, with his skill-set and potential. But Éric Abidal will have to fight hard in order to sign him. Even though Adrien Rabiot is set to join, Almendra could be a very useful asset for Barça B, and could be promoted to the first-team squad later.
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Many La Liga and Serie A clubs are following him, most notably Real Madrid, Juventus, Napoli and Atlético Madrid. Barcelona and Valencia have already opened talks, and that is an encouraging sign. But Boca Juniors are expected to drive a hard bargain for their starlet.