Barcelona will renew La Masia defender before sending him out on loan

Mika Marmol would have been hoping for a spot in the Barcelona first-team setup this season after having impressed with the Atletic side over the past couple of years.

The 21-year-old would also have added a left-footed centre-back option for the Blaugrana at a time when they have let Clement Lenglet go and are looking to offload Samuel Umtiti as well.

However, that will not come to be, which was made abundantly clear by the young defender’s exclusion from the pre-season tour to the United States of America.

Having stayed back, Marmol will begin training with the Barcelona Atletic team starting today. However, he is unlikely to stay there for a long time either, as SPORT reports that the La Masia graduate is set for a loan spell away from the club.

Indeed, Barcelona do not wish for Marmol to continue with their Atletic team and instead have plans for him to go out on loan and gather first-team football experience so that his development continues at a rapid rate.

Mika Marmol’s current contract with Barça runs out next year. And the club are ready to hand him an extension before sending him away on a temporary spell for the upcoming campaign.

A loan move to newly-promoted La Liga side Girona had been speculated in the media. However, that might be off the cards now, as the report from SPORT states that Barcelona are planning to send Marmol to a club in the La Liga SmartBank.

Playing at a level higher than the Barça Atletic team, who participate in the RFEF First Division, can be a good learning experience for the youngster, who made his first-team debut in May earlier this year.

A solid loan spell away could put Marmol in the thoughts of first-team manager Xavi Hernandez for the future. Before he leaves, though, the La Masia product will be renewing his contract.