Barcelona poised to sign teenage wonderkid from Espanyol academy for La Masia | OneFootball

According to SPORT, Pol Sabadi, one of the most talented young prospects coming through at RCD Espanyol, is set to accept FC Barcelona’s offer to join La Masia.

The teenage midfielder, who is currently a part of Espanyol’s Under-16 side, will turn 15 years old in July, and also plays for the Spain Under-15 national team.

A precocious talent

Sabadi joined Espanyol’s academy in the summer of 2022 from Girona. The left-footed midfielder had scored seven goals in 26 official matches with the Alevin A despite being a first-year player.

Barcelona had already shown interest in him at that time, as he was a regular in the Catalan youth national teams. Sabadi ultimately signed for Espanyol.

At Espanyol, he played with his age group in the Alevin A, scoring eight goals in 26 official matches during the 2022/23 season. Across his two years at Infantil level, the midfielder played 26 official matches in Espanyol’s academy.

This season, despite being a first-year Cadete, he has been part of the Catalan club’s Under-16 side, which currently sits second in the Division de Honor at that level.

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Injuries have limited Sabadi’s appearances in recent times. He has played 13 matches this season with the Under-16s, usually operating as a defensive midfielder.

Known for his left foot, striking ability, and vision, Sabadi is also capable of playing as a left-sided centre-back.

Barcelona are always attentive to the best players in Catalonia, and Pol is one of the most promising talents from the 2011 generation.

Alongside Barcelona, Real Madrid and other top Spanish clubs have shown interest in the player, who has a strong chance of joining the Blaugrana academy.

Last season, Barcelona signed the Lee brothers, Minguk and Daehon, as well as Pol Mancheno and Oriol Pallas from Espanyol’s academy.

This season, Pol Sabadi could be the first to switch from Espanyol’s youth setup to La Masia, but he is unlikely to be the last.