Barcelona Rumors: Barca's 'New Pogba' Could End Up Like Lionel Messi – Report

After Lionel Messi, another Barcelona star is on the brink of leaving Camp Nou, according to a report.

As Barcelona laments Messi’s unfortunate exit, the club could see another departure as Ilaix Moriba, one of its newest breakout stars, has yet to secure his future with the team.

Barca has been working on a fresh set of terms for Moriba following the midfielder’s impressive debut season with the senior team. However, both parties have yet to close a deal to this day. Hence, the Catalans have finally given up and are expecting the teenager to leave this summer, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reported.

Moriba’s current deal with Barcelona expires in summer 2022, and the club wants him to renew or it will be forced to sell to avoid losing him for free next year. However, it has been “10 days” since Barca sent an offer to Moriba’s agents, and the club has still not received a response, the report said.

Barcelona is reportedly under the assumption that Moriba is not keen on prolonging his stay with the team and is now opting to sell the player before the transfer window closes. As things stand, the 18-year-old has already been demoted back to Barca B squad and will stay there until his contract situation is still being addressed, the report added.

Contrary to what reports say, however, Moriba said he sees himself remaining a Barcelona player until the end of his career.

“I am living a dream and I hope it never ends,” Moriba said after Barcelona’s win over Getafe in April. “We depend on us and we have to go to all the games the same way.”

“There are good vibes in the [Barcelona] dressing room, that is reflected in the results you are seeing,” he continued.

Moriba played a total of 15 games across all competitions for Barcelona last season. In the process, he scored one goal and dished out two assists.

He became notable for being one of Messi’s attacking partners, and his midfield attributes saw him being dubbed as the “new Paul Pogba.”

Amid his successful stint, Moriba’s father, Mamady, wished his son to propel in the club and follow in the footsteps of Messi.

“I hope Ilaix never leaves [Barcelona] and can be an example for the next generation at La Masia,” Mamady told Sport earlier this year. “I want kids who have doubts about staying to see Ilaix and choose to stay. It happened with [Lionel] Messi, [Andres] Iniesta, [Sergio] Busquets, Xavi [Hernandez], etc. I hope he can always stay at Barca.”