Barcelona is apparently letting all the future stars go. One of the biggest is also set to leave.
According to widespread reports from Spain and England, Barça B midfielder Sergi Samper has formally expressed his desire to leave the club after not receiving a promotion to the first team this season, instead being stuck with the youth squad in the Spanish third division, even though the senior group is in dire need of a quality midfielder due to the many injuries in the first months of this new campaign.
One team that has followed Samper closely in the last two years is Premier League contenders Arsenal. Club manager Arsene Wenger is absolutely enamored with the player's qualities and potential as a defensive midfielder. Wenger only has one reliable option at that position in Francis Coquelin, and Samper would be a strong contender for a starting job as soon as he arrives.
Plus, Wenger loves to sign young Barcelona players, with the most famous example being Cesc Fàbregas, who became a Premier League star with the Gunners. Young right-back Hector Bellerín, who also came from La Masia, has turned into a solid, talented player with many contributions to his team.
If the rumors are to believed, Wenger could turn Samper into the next great Gunner who was supposed to be the next great Blaugrana.
Yay?