Barcelona, Manchester United among clubs tracking ‘Ecuadorian Haaland’ – report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are always alert to up-and-coming talents across the globe, with a view to strengthening the squad for the future.

The South American market, in particular, holds particular appeal for the Blaugrana, with the club monitoring many talents in the region.

Juan Riquelme Angulo on Barcelona’s radar

And, according to AS, one such player who is very much on the radars of Barcelona happens to be Ecuadorian teenager Juan Riquelme Angulo.

Only 18 years old, just ten appearances for Independiente del Valle and an emergency call-up to the Ecuador national team have already been enough for Angulo to attract attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tin Ángulo Jr. (@riquiangulo_)

As per the report, Barça, Manchester United, SL Benfica and FC Porto are all exploring a potential move for the forward.

The 1.93m striker has scored twice in his first ten senior matches and has also become a regular feature in Ecuador’s youth setup, making six appearances for the U-17 side.

He even received his first senior national team call-up, drafted in by Sebastian Beccacece as emergency cover following injuries to Yeboah and Kevin Rodriguez. Even without making his debut, that call-up has significantly raised his profile on the international scouting scene.

Ecuador’s own Haaland

Although his height might suggest he is simply a traditional target man, Angulo possesses impressive technical quality for a player of his size.

Angulo has been dubbed the ‘Ecuadorian Haaland’. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

He is capable of carrying the ball from deep, accelerating into space and creating chances for teammates as well as finishing moves himself.

Because of that combination of physical power and technical ability, comparisons with Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland have already begun in his homeland.

That rare blend of athleticism and skill is exactly why he is considered one of Ecuador’s brightest emerging talents and why so many major European clubs are closely monitoring his progress, with Barcelona among them.