Barcelona Outlasts Real Madrid In Chase For Spain's Young Superstar

Barcelona has edged out Real Madrid in the race to sign Spain’s top prospect Fabian Luzzi. The Catalans have successfully prevailed over their rivals and other suitors in the bidding war after the Blaugrana reportedly reached a deal with Rayo Vallecano to send the 16-year-old prodigy over to the Camp Nou.

“Barcelona has agreed (on) a deal to sign Fabian Luzzi from Rayo Vallecano,” Marcos de Vicente of Marca wrote. “The (16)-year-old is Rayo's top youth prospect and has already trained with Paco Jemez's first team.

“The forward had been the subject of interest from clubs in Spain, including Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, and abroad.”

Luzzi has been heavily linked to the Spanish giant clubs after establishing his name as one of the top rising talents in the country. For that same reason, Rayo Vallecano had initially dismissed luring offers for the budding youngster.

But things took an interesting turn as Barcelona was able to convince the Segunda Division club into terms that would also grant Luzzi’s wish to play for the Lionel Messi-led club.

According to Marca, Rayo had pulled out a lucrative offer sheet for Luzzi to convince him to stay, but “the pull of the Camp Nou was too much in the end.”

Details of the said deal are still unknown although Raul Granado of Onda Cero’s the Transistor hinted that Luzzi has sealed a long-term contract with the Catalans.

While the agreement is seen as another victory for Barca over its Spanish rivals, an earlier report from ESPN suggested that the bidding was already over when clubs, including Real Madrid, yielded to the obvious impression that the Blaugrana was going all-in for Luzzi.

Based on accounts from sources, Barcelona was prepared to spend on a rich offer for the teenage star – something that the Los Blancos were not willing to match.

“Barcelona is set to complete the signing of young Rayo Vallecano forward Fabian Luzzi after flexing their financial muscles to beat Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid,” the report read.

“Madrid and Atletico had both been in the race for Luzzi, but Madrid pulled out once they saw how much Barca was prepared to offer the Spain youth international. A source with knowledge of the figures involved would not confirm the full details to ESPN but said Real Madrid would never pay that much for an academy player.”

Luzzi is expected to quickly thrive into Quique Setien’s system, which has proven effective for up and coming stars within the club, with the stellar showing from Ansu Fati served as the resounding evidence.

The emergence of top-tier talents like Luzzi and Fati is proof that Barcelona is in good hands, especially with Messi reportedly set to leave the club in 2021.