Barcelona has a La Masia academy known for producing talented talents. In fact, some of them were able to become the backbone of Barcelona for years.
Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Victor Valdes, and Carles Puyol are examples of players trained by the La Masia academy. They have felt great success while grazing at Camp Nou.
However, not all academy players can penetrate Barcelona’s first team. In fact, most of them actually have to undergo their careers elsewhere.
Even so, Barcelona also have no doubts about returning their academy players to have been released to other clubs. For example, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Cesc Fabregas.
Barcelona are now reportedly interested in returning several former La Masia academy players who are playing at other clubs. Who are they? The following is the list as reported by Sportskeeda.
DANI OLMO (DINAMO ZAGREB)
Dani Olmo is a talented winger who currently plays for Dinamo Zagreb, and his performance for the Croatian club is so impressive that he has been named the best player in the Croatian league in 2018.
The 20-year-old had previously played for the Barcelona youth team between 2009 and 2014 after joining from rival club Espanyol before the player surprisingly decided to move to Zagreb.
Reports suggest that Barcelona are interested in bringing Olmo back to the Nou Camp, although they will face competition from arch-rivals Real Madrid.
ANDRE ONANA (AJAX)
After joining the Barcelona junior team in 2010, Onana went to Ajax five years later. He had strengthened the junior team before making his debut in Ajax’s first team in 2016.
Onana made 32 league appearances in the 2016-17 season and then 33 last season. So far this season, Onana has kept Ajax’s goal in 20 matches in the Eredivisie and also helped the Dutch giants break the Champions League last 16 for the first time since 1995.
Onana’s performance was able to attract the attention of most of Europe’s top teams. Barcelona are also reportedly interested in bringing him back next season if reserve goalkeeper Jasper Cillensen decides to leave.
ALEX GRIMALDO (BENFICA)
Alex Grimaldo was in the Barcelona youth team from 2011 – 2015. He was considered one of the most brilliant prospects at La Masia and is predicted to be a replacement for Jordi Alba in the future.
However, the Spanish left back was released in 2016 when Barcelona brought in Lucas Digne from PSG. Interestingly, Digne failed at Barcelona and was then sold to Everton.
As if to make up for their mistakes, Barcelona are reportedly monitoring Alex Grimaldo’s progress in the Portuguese league. Therefore, it would not be surprising if Grimaldo finally returned to Camp Nou in the nearest future.
THIAGO ALCANTARA (BAYERN MUNICH)
Thiago had played in Barcelona’s first team in the era of Josep Guardiola’s leadership. However, the player rarely gets the chance to play regularly and decides to follow Guardiola to Bayern Munich in 2013.
Since then, the 26-year-old has continued to strengthen his reputation as one of the best midfielders in the world. In fact, the current Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde also greatly admired the player.
Over the past few years, Thiago has often been associated with returning to Barcelona. The player has signaled he is willing to return to the club where he already considers like his own home.
