Barcelona monitoring 21-year-old Villarreal striker after impressive breakthrough – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are never against the idea of recruiting promising young talent. In fact, those are exactly the kind of operations that the Catalan club seems to love being a part of. At the moment, a young striker now appears to be linked to them.

Interestingly, Barça has reportedly been looking for a younger striker to sign and develop, if possible. After all, they know that Robert Lewandowski cannot continue forever, so this new update seems to be an intriguing one.

Cameroonian gem intrigues Barcelona

Photo by George Wood/Getty Images

According to Fichajes, FC Barcelona are closely following the progress of 21-year-old Villarreal striker Etta Eyong. The Cameroonian has been one of the standout young forwards in Spain over the past year, combining consistent goal-scoring with rapid development.

Eyong’s journey began in Cadiz’s reserve team, where he scored 14 goals during the 2023/24 season and immediately drew the attention of scouts across the country. Villarreal moved swiftly to secure his services, although Cadiz retained 50% of his rights.

At Villarreal, Eyong continued to thrive. In the 2024/25 season, he netted 19 goals in the Primera RFEF with the B team and earned his first-team debut, even managing to score his first La Liga goal.

His blend of immediate impact and long-term potential has made him one of the most intriguing prospects in Spanish football, and Barcelona have duly taken notice.

The new season has only reinforced his rise. In Villarreal’s La Liga opener against Real Oviedo, Eyong scored the first goal in a 2-0 victory, once again proving his instinct in front of goal.

While Barcelona are not alone in tracking Eyong, they appear to be among the most attentive to his progress. His age, versatility, and competitive edge fit perfectly into the Catalan club’s vision of signing young talents who can develop into stars at Camp Nou.

However, any negotiations would be complex, given Villarreal’s current reliance on him and Cadiz’s partial ownership of his rights.

For now, Eyong remains fully focused on continuing his upward trajectory with Villarreal, while Barça continues to keep an eye on him and is looking to see how well he continues to develop.