Wantaway Barcelona forward emerges as target for Bayer Leverkusen
According to a report from SPORT, it has been learned that Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen are eyeing a move for Barcelona forward Pau Victor.
The 23-year-old has decided to seek regular game time next season, prompting interest from several clubs across Spain and now Germany.
Advertisement
Victor has enjoyed a decent spell at Barça Atletic and eventually caught the attention of the senior coaching staff.
This season, he rejected offers to leave during the January window, believing in his chances to earn minutes and to some extent, he was proven right, as he did feature more regularly in the second half of the season, albeit in a substitute role.
However, the outlook for next season looks more complex.
Things look bleak for Pau Victor at Barcelona
Barcelona are expected to reinforce their attacking department this summer, which could make things even more difficult for Victor to break through.
Advertisement
With fierce competition for places and Barça's need to balance the books, several young players could be moved on either permanently or on loan, and Victor is one of them.
Pau Victor is likely to leave Barcelona. (Photo by)
While La Liga sides like Betis, Celta Vigo and Mallorca have shown interest, their approach has mostly revolved around potential loan deals. Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, appear more proactive and could offer the player a more convincing project.
Set to be under a new leader
The German club is preparing for major changes following Xabi Alonso's departure, and although the potential arrival of Cesc Fabregas as manager remains uncertain, Leverkusen's interest in Victor stands regardless of who takes over on the bench.
Advertisement
Barcelona are open to multiple options, as they would be happy for him to continue at the club if he believes in the project, but are also willing to entertain serious offers, be it a loan or permanent transfer.
For the player, this could be a pivotal summer. At 23, he needs regular minutes to continue developing, and Leverkusen could offer him not just minutes, but also exposure to European competition and a more competitive environment.
The final decision will rest with the player himself, but with interest mounting and the transfer window approaching, Barcelona may be forced to make a call soon.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
New turf laid in Munich for Nations League after damage by PSG fans
French riot police on duty after clashes erupted at Paris Saint-Germain Champions League title celebrations in Paris. Julien Mattia/Le Pictorium via ZUMA Press/dpa Several square metres of new hybrid turf have been laid at Munich's Allianz Arena in time for the men's Nations League semi-final between Germany and Portugal on Wednesday. Exuberant Paris Saint-Germain fans had damaged the surface and taken some of it as a souvenir after Saturday's 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final. Advertisement European governing body UEFA wanted the Champions League final to be followed in the same stadium by the first Nations League semi for organizational reasons. Munich city council was non-plussed about hosting the Nations League Final Four, but the stadium operator said the tight turnaround was no issue and the turg would bed in. "For us, this is routine. There was never any risk to the game taking place," Jürgen Muth, managing director of Allianz Arena München Stadion GmbH, told the newspaper group Münchner Merkur and tz on Tuesday. Munich also hosts the final on Sunday, with France taking on Spain in the other semi-final in Stuttgart on Thursday. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann conducted a final training session with a full squad on a well-maintained pitch at the team's base in Herzogenaurach north of Munich.
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Manchester United to pursue Bryan Mbeumo and get Bruno Fernandes boost
Manchester United will explore a deal for Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo after missing out on Liam Delap and have been boosted by Bruno Fernandes rejecting a move to the Saudi Pro League. Ruben Amorim had said he thought Fernandes would stay despite interest from Al-Hilal. Provided the playmaker does not receive an offer from a leading European club that he wants to pursue, that settles the captain's future. Advertisement Related: Manchester United's debacle in Asia boosts case against post-season tours Amorim is trying to strengthen his squad and after United confirmed an agreement to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves the head coach's focus is on a forward who can offer a reliable source of goals. Mbeumo scored 20 times in 38 Premier League appearances in the most recent season. Fernandes and Amad Diallo led the way for United with eight each. Delap chose Chelsea ahead of clubs including United and his £30m transfer from Ipswich is close to being confirmed. United will face competition for Mbeumo, who turns 26 shortly before the start of next season. The Cameroon international played a significant part, with his forward partner Yoane Wissa, in helping Brentford to finish 10th last month. United will reacquire Jadon Sancho at the end of this month after Chelsea chose to pay £5m to send him back to Old Trafford. The forward's loan included an obligation to buy for £25m, with that penalty clause built in.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
From Dembélé to Salah: six contenders in an open race for men's Ballon d'Or
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) George Weah remains the only African to win the prize and the Liverpool forward's form in the past year has put him in a similar bracket to the Liberian. 'The Egyptian King' scored 29 goals and assisted a further 18 to lead the Reds to the Premier League title, but he could not take them further than the last 16 in the Champions League. Arne Slot played Salah in every league match, a sign of his importance and his stupendous fitness. 'He's had very, very, very good seasons at Liverpool but this one probably stands out in terms of numbers,' Arne Slot said of Salah's Ballon d'Or chances. 'If there's ever a chance for him, it would be this season. If not, then he's going to try to push even harder next season'. Turning 33 in mid-June, this might be Salah's final chance to achieve the highest personal accolade in the game, even if his head coach thinks otherwise. Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain) Finally, at 28, the forward is fulfilling his promise and filling his mantelpiece with shiny trinkets in the process. Dembélé's career was on the slide when he moved to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in 2023, but back in France he has looked more comfortable. Luis Enrique, a former Barcelona manager, is getting the best out of him, even after dropping the France international for disciplinary reasons in October. His pace and skill have traumatised defenders alongside that of Désiré Doué – this year's vote might come too early for the talented teenager – across the continent and helped PSG secure a historic first Champions League triumph to complete the treble. Dembélé makes beating defenders look easy, scoring 21 goals in 29 Ligue 1 appearances in the process. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain) Having started the season in Naples, the Georgian can boast the rare feat of winning two domestic titles – Serie A and Ligue 1 – in the same year. Oh and he lifted the Champions League. Not bad for a lad who used to play for Rustavi. Everyone has known about Kvaratskhelia's qualities for a long time; that ability to breeze past players, going left and right, while possessing a vicious strike to test the fingers of any goalkeeper. The son of a former international – although his father Badri played for Azerbaijan – Kvaratskhelia's path to stardom may not have taken the most direct route. The 24-year-old played three seasons in Russia before Napoli came calling. Kvaratskhelia made a difference when it mattered for PSG in Europe, taking them to the extra level they struggled to find in the league stage. Raphinha (Barcelona) Remember that bloke who once saved Leeds from relegation? Well, he is now a serious contender for the Ballon d'Or, which is an especially strange thing to consider given 12 months ago Barcelona would have quite happily waved the Brazilian off into the sunset in the hope of getting some much-needed cash. Hansi Flick always wanted Raphinha to stay because he appreciated the 28-year-old's qualities. and he has become an influential on-pitch figure at Barcelona. A goal every other league game - and 34 in all competitions - was a key reason behind Barça becoming La Liga champions for a 28th time, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League. And Raphinha, used predominantly on the left-wing, will for ever be a hero in Barcelona after scoring two goals in last month's 4-3 clásico win over Real Madrid. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) There are few guarantees in life but if Lamine Yamal does not win the Ballon d'Or this year then he will definitely do so in the future, and almost certainly many times. The 17-year-old is a generational talent, already laden with medals and personal awards. Last summer it was the European Championship; this season the Copa del Rey and La Liga. 'He has no ceiling,' Raphinha said of his teammate. 'He can go as far as he wants. It all depends on him. He has quality, commitment and works hard.' No one wants to play against the prodigy who has a knack for cutting in from the right and finding the top corner, leaving a trail of shellshocked defenders in his wake. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) Currently listed at 50/1 by some bookmakers, Mbappé retains plenty of admirers. The Frenchman came sixth at the ceremony last year and none of those who finished above him are in contention this time. Admittedly, his first year at Real Madrid can be classed as forgettable. Mbappé won the Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup but losing out to Barcelona in La Liga and being brushed aside by Arsenal in the Champions League does not do much for egos in the Spanish capital. The goals flew in for Mbappé, with the 26-year-old scoring 31 times in 34 league appearances, but when it mattered in Europe, he did not produce what was required.
