Official: Barcelona striker joins Watford on a free transfer

Issuing an official statement, Barcelona have confirmed that they have parted ways with striker Rey Manaj, who has joined EFL Championship outfit Watford.

The Blaugrana had been in negotiations with the Hornets, who were recently relegated from the Premier League and dropped back to the EFL Championship.

And the two teams have now reached an agreement over a transfer for the striker. As per the terms of the deal, Manaj will be joining Watford on a free transfer, with Barcelona releasing him from his contract which had just one year left.

In exchange, the Blaugrana will get a first refusal option on the 25-year-old along with 50% proceeds from any future sale of the Albanian striker.

Manaj joined Barcelona from Albacete in the January transfer window of 2020 and went on to perform ably for the Barça Atletic team, striking 16 goals from 31 matches.

The centre-forward never made a single first-team appearance for the Blaugrana. Even though he impressed in the pre-season last year, he was loaned out to Italian side Spezia, where he played under the tutelage of former Barça star Thiago Motta.

Manaj scored five goals in 30 matches in Serie A, helping Spezia avoid relegation. The Albanian international will now join Watford and look to revive his career after bringing an end to his Barcelona career.