Barcelona tried bringing back on-loan winger, offer declined

With less than a day remaining until the transfer window slams to a shut, Barcelona are facing a race against time to incorporate new players into the team.

The coaching staff is desperately looking to sign a new winger, in particular, after losing out on the services of Memphis Depay. The Dutchman joined Atletico Madrid earlier this month, on a permanent deal.

The club have not ruled out the possibility of signing a winger at the last minute through a loan deal. But according to Javi Miguel, the Catalans had another plan in mind by bringing back one of their jewels in Abde Ezzalzouli.

A winger by trade, Abde currently plies his trade for CA Osasuna. He had joined the club on a loan deal in the summer, in order to gain more minutes at the highest level.

With 16 competitive appearances for Osasuna this season, Abde may have been one of the club’s most important attacking players. But his biggest breakthrough came during the 2022 FIFA World Cup when he impressed the onlookers with his explosive pace and commitment out wide.

Abde ended up playing three games for a Moroccan side that shocked everybody by finishing fourth in the coveted competition, beating giants such as Spain and Portugal in the process.

In light of his rapid rise to prominence, it appears Barcelona had contemplated the option of bringing back Abde from his loan deal at CA Osasuna and make him an option in the attacking department, alongside a myriad of other talents.

However, Osasuna blocked the move, refusing the offload the winger prematurely. It appears the Spanish outfit are aware of the youngster’s potential and do not want to let him go prematurely, effectively forcing Barcelona to hunt for other options in the market.