Player Profile:
On 1st July 2023, a young center-back joined Barça Atlètic, and the club, as known, produced another talent who would mark his name in European Football for years to come. Rising the ranks from a local football academy in Senegal, Faye's rise to the top has been exceptional.
Standing at 6′ 1″, the Senegalese power back Miyakil Faye was the heart of the defense for the Barça Atlètic last season. A strong defender by build and a calm and composed player by trait, Faye's exceptional 23/24 campaign has compelled some of the biggest European names to usher for him.
What happened?
18th June 2024
Aware of the center-back's heroics in the Primera Federación last season, FC Porto submitted their proposal of €15M for the defender.
🔵⚪️🐉 €15m to Barcelona and important contract for the player, this is FC Porto formal proposal for Mikayil Faye - planning for him as key player for their project.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 18, 2024
Barça will discuss a buy back clause in next meeting and deal really depends on club's decision now. pic.twitter.com/b7uLUte1l5
25th June 2024
Faye approved the possibility of a move for the Liga Nos side. Though the clubs agreed on the transfer fee of €15M, Barca's key demand was to include a release clause for Faye. Moreover, negotiations regarding the add-ons in the deal continued.
🔵⚪️🐉 Negotiations ongoing between FC Porto and Barça for Mikayil Faye, also on player side.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 25, 2024
Faye has already approved the move, up to the clubs — not done yet but talks continue. ⤵️ https://t.co/zUgYWJxtIc
28th June 2024
Barcelona asked for around €15M/€16M for Mikayil Faye to FC Porto. On top of that, Barca again requested the inclusion of a buy-back and sell-on clause in the deal.
🚨🇸🇳 Understand Barcelona have asked fee around €15/16m for Mika Faye to FC Porto.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 27, 2024
The deal has to include a buy back clause for Barça and also sell-on clause, this is the request from FCB.
↪️ Negotiations are still ongoing, nothing agreed or done yet. pic.twitter.com/feixVjUf3l
How's the deal going?
Recently, Fabrizio Romano again took to Twitter regarding an update on Faye's transfer situation. He posted,
🔵🔴 Barça request for Mika Faye was clear: €15m fixed fee, €30/32m buy back clause valid for 2025 and 2026, sell-on clause in case of future sale.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 2, 2024
Porto didn’t match those conditions.
Hansi Flick already told Faye that he wants him to be part of first team next season. pic.twitter.com/ChUnOyjD9c
As mentioned, Porto couldn't match up the expectations of the Catalan club. Moreover, Hansi Flick has told Faye that he wants the defender in his starting XI for the upcoming season. Drawing likenesses with Kalidou Koulibaly, the center-back has shown glimpses of the potential required to sustain on the European stage.
Hopefully, under the German manager, Faye could establish himself alongside Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, and Pau Cubarsi at the heart of the Barcelona defense.