Leicester City have been linked with a move for Barcelona youngster Ilaix Moriba, with the La Liga giants fearing he could leave on a free transfer next summer.

What's the story?

The highly-rated 18-year-old has entered the final year of his current contract with his boyhood club and has so far been unable to reach an agreement over fresh terms.

As a result, Barca are thought to be open to Moriba's departure after being forced to train with the reserves, and several Premier League clubs are believed to have been in contact with the player's representatives, according to 90min.

The report claims that England's traditional 'Big Six' have been offered the teenager's services, along with Leicester, West Ham United, Everton and Wolves.

Leicester City fans will be buzzing

The £22.5m-rated Moriba burst onto the scene for Barca last season, scoring one goal and providing three assists in 18 appearances for Ronald Koeman's charges.

As per WhoScored, he recorded an average of 0.9 shots per league game in 2020/21, 0.5 key passes and 1.2 dribbles, highlighting his considerable contribution to Barca's play.

It was hoped that the 6ft maestro would become a pivotal part of the Catalan club's new era, but his imminent exit is now looking inevitable.

The news of Moriba's availability will surely have a large section of Leicester fans buzzing. The Midlands outfit have largely built their recent success off the back of buying promising youngsters for low fees before developing them and selling them on for astronomical profit.

Stars such as N'Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez and Harry Maguire have all come and gone after gracing the King Power Stadium with their considerable talent, allowing the club to reinvest the proceeds of their sales into the playing squad and a new training ground.

And bringing in Moriba would fit perfectly with that management style. The Spain Under-18 international has established himself as one of the most promising central midfielders in the European game and looks destined for a glittering career.

Whether Leicester act on his attainability only time will tell, but manager Brendan Rodgers would surely be delighted at the opportunity to work with such a talented young player. The Leicester boss must act now.

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