TRANSFERS: Barça sets its sights on a South American gem that could be released very soon

If there is one quality that has characterized FC Barcelona's sports management in recent years, it is that of probing the incorporation market in search of young talents from the international sports scene, with a lot of projection and who have not yet had their explosion as 'top' players. In this way, once their signing is consummated, the Blaugrana team would ensure the addition of a stellar football project at an economically profitable price for the institution.

Under this premise, the new name that comes into play is that of Neyser Villarreal, a 20-year-old right winger, who, according to reports from Colombia, would be of interest to the team from the Ciudad Condal. In this sense, the situation surrounding the possible incorporation of the native of Tumaco becomes especially striking, since, apparently, the striker does not wish to renew his link with Millonarios FC, the team that owns his card and with which he has a contract until December 31 of this year.

Neyser Villarreal: A complicated signing for Barcelona to tackle?

However, there is a detail, not a minor one, in this negotiation that Barcelona must take into account if they wish to sign the player. Villarreal, whose greatest sporting achievement to date has been finishing as 'Pichichi' of the South American U-20 Championship played in Venezuela between January and February —a tournament in which the 'cafetera' team finished in third position behind Brazil and Argentina— will have to deal with several competitors who also wish to acquire his services.

In principle, those around Neyser Villarreal present themselves as complicated negotiators, an issue that represents a 'handicap' in the possible signing of the Colombian by the Barcelona club. It should not be overlooked that the right winger, who, so far in 2025, has two assists in 10 matches with 'Los Embajadores', was very close to joining the ranks of Atlético de Madrid.

Why didn't the striker end up signing for Atlético de Madrid?

However, as suggested by journalist Pipe Sierra, the transfer —initially agreed at around six million euros— ended up falling through because the player and his agent, Andree Romano, would have declined the offer. In turn, it is speculated that, in this case, no move for the player will be made until the U-20 World Cup in Chile, starting on September 27.

A competition in which Neyser Villarreal is expected to be part of the 23 called up by the national coach, César Torres, and where a good performance could boost his market value, which, according to Transfermarkt, is 1.2 million euros.

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