The meeting that could decide Ilaix Moriba's future

Barça officials are due to sit down with the agents of Ilaix Moriba to try and reach an agreement on a new deal. In this meeting, which will take place today, the club hopes to find common ground with the player's representatives following a deadlock in negotiations brought about by the player's excessively high wage demands. His demands were so high, in fact, that the club took the decision to drop him down to Barça B and even make him spend time in the 'Juvenil' category. Ilaix hasn't played a single minute of football for the first team or Barça B this pre-season, and it is felt that the club's stance may have been decisive in getting the agents to lower their demands.

The club wants to reach an agreement that falls within its current budget, taking into account Barça's precarious financial situation and the fact that the player has only just made the step up to the first team. The club isn't willing to award the player with a 'mega contract' because, as far as it is concerned, he hasn't proven anything yet.

It is the player himself who is most keen to bring these negotiations to a conclusion, since they are having a negative impact on his preparation for the upcoming campaign. He's told his agents to do whatever they can to reach a deal that suits both parties.

This club feels that today's meeting could be key in breaking the impasse, and are optimistic that an agreement in principle could even be reached. Barça wants the player to sign a five-year contract, tieing him to the club until 2026.