Barça defender Chadi Riad closing in on loan move to Sporting Gijon

Barcelona defender Chadi Riad is close to joining Sporting Giojon on loan. The Moroccan centre-back looked set to join the United States tour with the first team, but in the last few hours an option has emerged for him to gain experience in LaLiga Hypermotion. Andorra had also been interested, but it seems Sporting will win the race.

The Blaugrana youngster is on holiday after being proclaimed U23 champion of Africa, but he has already had a telematic contact with Sporting's sporting director, Gerardo Garcia. The player was satisfied with the project that Sporting are offering him.

The operation is now pending Riad extending his contract with Barça, as the defender only has one year left on his deal. Barça are very interested in closing a renewal as he is a player that Xavi has very much in mind for the first team in the future and negotiations are well underway.

Indisputable in Rafa Márquez's line-ups at Barça Atlètic, Riad already knows what it is like to play in the first team. He did so on the visit to El Sadar, on the last matchday before the break for the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. 

The idea was that he would take part in the tour of the United States and that during the season he would combine training with the first and reserve teams, but Sporting's interest is about to change the plan.