Fresh update emerges as Norwich City set to be raided by Barcelona | OneFootball

Barcelona are seeking approval from FIFA to complete the signing of Ajay Tavares

Barcelona are awaiting approval from FIFA in order to secure the signing of teenage starlet Ajay Tavares from Norwich City.

According to a report in Spanish outlet Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, the young winger has already agreed personal terms regarding a move to the Catalan giants.

Tavares is seeking a move to the Barcelona academy system from Norwich, having yet to feature for the Canaries at senior level.

The 16-year-old has come through the ranks of the Championship side’s academy system, and has represented England at underage international level, playing for the Three Lions' under-17's side.

And instead of entering a two-year scholarship with Norwich, Tavares looks to be heading for the bright lights of Barcelona for a nominal fee - but there is some red tape that needs to be diverted around to make it happen.

Barcelona seeking FIFA approval to complete Norwich City deal

It has been reported that Tavares is closing in on a move to Barcelona from Norwich, but that FIFA approval is being sought to complete the deal without any hitches.

While the teenager has appeared for England at underage level, he also holds a Portuguese passport, which will allow him to make the move outside of the United Kingdom and join Barcelona without having to wait until he turns 18.

Barcelona are are now waiting on the word of FIFA to get the deal done, with the European giants optimistic that the process will go in their favour and they will be able to sign the 16-year-old.

It’s believed that personal terms are not an issue, and that Tavares has given the green light for his switch to La Liga, and it's expected that the attacker will head to play for the club's under-19's side before potentially breaking into the first-team squad in years to come.

Tavares has earned a lot of plaudits at underage level for Norwich, but he has not yet played at senior level, although he trained with Philippe Clement's first-team squad in early January ahead of their FA Cup clash with Walsall.

Ajay Tavares departure will be a blow for Norwich City's future.

Tavares making the move to Barcelona shows how highly rated this youngster is, so it’s without a doubt a blow for Norwich to lose him at such an early stage - and they won't be heavily compensated either.

His transfer now seems like just a formality, with the clubs awaiting a decision from FIFA over his eligibility for this deal.

It remains to be seen just how far the winger will go in his career, but the Canaries have missed out on the opportunity to give him a pathway to the first-team squad, despite being just 16 years of age.

If he can develop into a top talent, then the Championship team have potentially missed out on quite a lucrative prospect from their academy system, yet there’s not much they can do when a club like Barcelona shows this kind of interest.