Juventus making strong push to sign Barcelona youth star - report

Ilaix Moriba won’t turn 16 until 10 days from now, but he’s already the center of a tug-of-war between two European megaclubs. Juventus are said to be making a strong push for the young player, who will turn 16 on the 19th. Once his birthday comes around, the youngster will be able to leave Barcelona, and according to journalist Gerard Romero, Juventus is coming in with “a lot of force” to try to sign him up.

Another journalist, Adrián Sanchez, writes that the player’s entourage feels that the club has been “careless” in terms of dealing with the situation. He writes that Ilaix’s people think Barcelona is the priority, but they do not expect him to stay unless Barça make an equally strong push.

However, Romero writes that Barcelona executives have “clear orders to do everything possible to retain the player.” He says there is a sense of optimism at the club and that it is “an absolute priority that he stays.”

Ilaix was born in Guinea and holds Guinean and Spanish citizenship.