Celta Vigo a possible destination for Barça midfielder Riqui Puig

Xavi Hernandez and Barcelona are working on renewing the squad for next season. One player who could be affected is Riqui Puig. The midfielder has hardly played under Xavi. Just 525 minutes of action across the season. Just three starts under Xavi.

Barça know they have to find a new home for the La Masia graduate. And the player, resistant to leave so far when advised to do so by Ronald Koeman, knows the club's intentions.

"I feel bad about Riqu's situation," said Catalan national team coach Gerard Lopez. "I gave him his B team debut, but he's young and he has to play."

So where?

Celta Vigo have emerged as a serious candidate to sign the midfielder. They want a replacement for Denus Suarez, who is a regular under Eduardo Coudet but the Celta president Carlos Mouriño has warned the player to either leave his agents or leave the club due to a feud with the agency that represents him.

Other options

Riqui Puig is liked by Coudet and we will have to see what happens. He has a contract with Barça until 2023, so will have to be transferred permanently, with the Catalan club hoping for more than €5 million.

The player's salary could be a problem. But there is another option: that is to renew his contract and send him on loan. Barça would make room for a new signing, save on his salary but also have his future controlled. President Joan Laporta remains a fan of Puig.