Barcelona Transfer Rumors: Laporta 'In Love' With Winger Likened To Neymar – Report

Sevilla winger Bryan Gil has captured the attention of Barcelona’s newly-appointed president Joan Laporta, a report says.

The Catalans seem to have been handed a clean slate with the arrival of Laporta following the drama they have endured in recent times. And as expected, Barcelona is now being linked to a number of transfers with Laporta in charge.

Aside from the promised project for Lionel Messi, the Barca chief is keen on signing Sevilla’s midfielder Gil, Spanish outlet Deportes Cuatro reported.

According to the report, Laporta is “in love” with Gil’s fine form and would like to bring the 20-year-old to Camp Nou this summer.

Gil has been impressive as an on-loan player at Eibar this season. The winger has already been featured in 18 games, recording three goals and two assists in the process.

Laporta isn’t the first key figure at Barcelona who has noticed Gil’s remarkable performances. In fact, German “Mani” Vaya Ballabriga, the veteran Barca scout who also brought Andres Iniesta and Ansu Fati to Camp Nou, had already earmarked him as a future prospect.

According to Mani, Gil presents a strong case to become a star in Barcelona just like Neymar.

"Right now he is Spain's best footballer and I compare him with Neymar," Mani told Cadena SER's “Què T'hi Jugues” of Gil last month. "He can do certain things and has great versatility, as he can play at full-back in the middle or on the left-wing. It's impressive."

Mani added that he had already told some higher-ups in Barca to make a move for Gil before the youngster’s value shoots up.

"I have spoken with (Barcelona technical secretary) Ramon Planes about him and he has Bryan Gil in mind," he continued. "If he is signed now then his release clause is €35 million ($42 million), but if he signs a new deal with Sevilla then he'll have a release clause worth €150 million ($182 million)."

Aside from Gil, Laporta is also said to be already working on signing a deal with Bayern Munich star David Alaba and offloading Philippe Coutinho, the club’s most expensive signing of all time.

The report further noted that Laporta is well aware Barcelona is competing with an array of big-name clubs for Alaba’s transfer.

To ensure that they will be the frontrunners to sign the two-time UEFA Champions League winner, the Barca executive reportedly met with Alaba’s representatives Pini Zahavi and Fali Ramadani earlier this month.