Barcelona finalise loan move with €2.5m buy option for South American prospect | OneFootball

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have reached an agreement with Liga de Quito to sign promising Ecuadorian talent Josue Caicedo on loan.

The 18-year-old will initially join Barça Atletic, with the deal following the club’s recent strategy of recruiting highly rated young talents from overseas before integrating them into the first-team pathway.

Loan includes conditional purchase clause

As part of the agreement, Barcelona have secured a €2.5 million purchase option. However, the clause will automatically become mandatory if Caicedo makes four official appearances for the Barcelona first team during his time at the club.

Meanwhile, Liga de Quito have also negotiated a 20% sell-on clause, ensuring they will receive a share of any future transfer should Barcelona eventually sell the player.

Caicedo is expected to complete the formalities of the transfer in the coming hours before linking up with Juliano Belletti’s Barça Atletic squad in Segunda RFEF.

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His immediate objective will be to continue his development while attempting to impress Hansi Flick enough to earn opportunities with the senior team.

A versatile left-sided player

Standing at 1.83 metres, Caicedo is regarded as one of Ecuador’s brightest young prospects.

Known for his pace, athleticism and ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations, he originally developed as a left winger before successfully adapting into a more complete left-back/wing-back, a transition that attracted the attention of several European clubs.

Despite being only 18, he has already made seven appearances in Ecuador’s top flight for Liga de Quito. He also made his Copa Libertadores debut on 26 May, featuring in Liga de Quito’s 3-2 victory over Bolivia’s Always Ready.

Brazilian manager Tiago Nunes, a compatriot of Belletti, has shown considerable confidence in the youngster by introducing him to senior football at an early stage.

Barcelona believe his attacking qualities and long-term potential fit the club’s profile for developing young full-backs.

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Another Liga de Quito prospect on Barcelona’s radar

Caicedo is not the only Liga de Quito academy player Barcelona have monitored. The Catalan club have also closely followed Ederson Castillo, the club’s highly rated 17-year-old defensive midfielder.

Castillo spent a week on trial at Barcelona’s Ciutat Esportiva training complex in January, training with Pol Planas’ Juvenil A side.

However, unlike Caicedo’s transfer, Castillo’s arrival appears considerably less likely at this stage.

Barcelona’s technical staff reportedly believe that his profile as a holding midfielder differs from the positional characteristics traditionally developed at La Masia, making a deal more complicated despite the club’s interest.