Barcelona joined by Atletico Madrid in race for 21-year-old Spanish forward – report | OneFootball

According to AS, FC Barcelona are interested in signing Cadiz’s 21-year-old forward Borja Vazquez with an eye on strengthening the club’s reserve team, Barça Atletic.

However, the Blaugrana now have to compete with rivals Atletico Madrid, who opened talks with the player’s representatives several weeks ago in an effort to secure his signature.

The club has presented a long-term project designed to convince the attacker to join their academy structure, even as Barça keep monitoring the situation closely.

Barcelona’s interest goes back a while

Borja Vazquez has emerged as one of Cadiz’s most valuable young assets heading into the summer transfer window.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Borja Vázquez (@borja9vazquez)

The 21-year-old Cadiz starlet spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Ponferradina, where his impressive development has attracted interest from several clubs, including Barça and Atletico Madrid.

The Catalan club had already submitted a proposal while the player was competing in the promotion playoffs to Segunda División with Ponferradina. But it came to nothing.

Now, Atletico have entered the picture. Moreover, several Segunda Division sides also approached Cadiz during the winter transfer window with offers and could return for the young forward.

Standout season at Ponferradina

Borja enjoyed a solid season at Ponferradina, where he came close to helping the club secure promotion to La Liga 2 under coach Mehdi Nafti.

The youngster became a regular starter throughout the campaign, making 43 appearances in all competitions, finishing with a tally of four goals and four assists.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Borja Vázquez (@borja9vazquez)

With interest continuing to grow from some of Spain’s biggest clubs, Borja Vazquez could become one of Cadiz’s most valuable assets during the summer transfer window.

Barcelona keen on strengthening Barça Atletic

Barcelona have been working on reinforcing the attacking unit for Juliano Belletti’s reserve team after failing to win promotion to the Primera Federacion.

Ignasi Quer has already been signed to strengthen the No. 9 position, where he will likely compete with Oscar Gistau.

Hamza Abdelkarim has been signed permanently, but the Egyptian teenager could be in line for a first-team promotion.

Therefore, signing a player like Vazquez, who can play across the frontline, could be a prudent move for the Catalans.