Barcelona concerned about loanee’s game-time, could send him to different team in January

Earlier this month, Barcelona president Joan Laporta and director Mateu Alemany held a meeting with Portuguese superagent Jorge Mendes.

While the main agenda for the meeting was believed to be the contract renewal of Alejandro Balde, the parties also discussed the situation of Barça loanee Nico Gonzalez.

The 20-year-old joined Valencia on loan during the summer window but has found game-time hard to come by under Gennaro Gattuso at the Mestalla.

Indeed, Nico has played just 321 minutes of football across eight matches in La Liga, starting just three of those.

And according to SPORT, Barcelona are concerned about the limited game-time that the La Masia midfielder is receiving at Valencia. The same was discussed during the meeting with Mendes last week.

It is further claimed if Nico’s situation does not improve until January, Barça will look at the possibility of recalling him from Valencia. However, they would not keep him at Spotify Camp Nou, but instead send him out on loan to a different European club.

It must be noted that the 20-year-old Spaniard had several options to choose from in the summer. The possibility of staying at Barcelona was also on the table for the young midfielder.

However, Nico and Mendes decided that Valencia would be the best bet for the player and he could get plenty of minutes under Gattuso. But that has not been the case so far.

And Barça do not want the year to go down as a waste as they wish to see Nico develop and return to the club as an improved player.

So, in case he does not see more regular involvement at Valencia over the next month or so, there could be a chance that the Catalan giants recall him in the January window and send him to a different team where he can play with more frequency.