Valverde hints young talent Riqui Puig could leave Barcelona in January

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has hinted midfielder Riqui Puig will be allowed to leave the club in January: “We have lots of players in his position.”

The central midfielder has not featured for the Blaugrana this season and Estadio Deportivo recently cited El Mundo Deportivo in claiming Real Betis, Ajax, Eibar and Real Zaragoza all unsuccessfully attempted to land him this summer.

The 20-year-old made three senior appearances for the Catalan giants last season and is widely regarded as one of the brightest talents to come through their La Masia academy in years.

“It is a decision that is up to the player and the club. In his position we have many players in the first team,” Valverde responded, as cited by Diario Sport, when asked if Puig could leave the club.

Puig is cited as saying by Marca earlier this month: “I will not be leaving in January, well not in theory.

“It is true that I would like to have more minutes in the senior side but due to the number of players it is not easy, so I will have a decision to make.”

Puig made his La Liga debut on 13 April 2019, starting in a 0–0 draw against Huesca, and played 67 minutes, before starting in a 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo in May.

The midfielder made his senior team debut with first team against Cultural Leonesa in a 4–1 home victory in the Copa Del Rey in December, as he came on in the 55th minute and assisted the fourth goal. He described his debut as 'a dream come true'.

Amid reports he could be loaned out this summer, Puig told reporters in April: “My only intention is to stay here, at my team and the team of my parents.

“My idea is to keep playing for Barca B and work for opportunities in the first-team and I am sure that they will arrive if I keep at my level.”

In May, he added: “I will not go on loan. As my father says, it is cold outside Barcelona and you cannot leave here unless you are kicked out.”