La Masia Prodigy Jan Virgili: 'Deco's Call Would Be Tough to Snub' as Barca Eye Winger Fixes
Jan Virgili, the ex-La Masia starlet shining at Mallorca, admits he'd find it hard to turn down Barcelona if they came calling. After leaving due to a preseason snub and Barça B relegation, the 20-year-old has four assists in La Liga and eyes a Camp Nou return amid Rashford's uncertain future. Barça's sell-on clause keeps the door ajar for a dream reunion.
La Masia Lad Eyes Blaugrana Return After Mallorca Spark
Imagine being a Barça die-hard from the cradle, nurtured in La Masia, only to bolt for Mallorca and suddenly light up La Liga. That's the tale of Jan Virgili, the 20-year-old winger who's turned heads with his pace and promise. In a chat with SPORT, he didn't mince words: if sporting director Deco rang up, it'd be a right struggle to say cheers but no thanks.
He's not just daydreaming either. "That was my dream, still is, and probably always will be," Virgili confessed. A lifelong Culé, he's itching for those first-team doors at the Camp Nou to swing open again. With four assists already in his debut top-flight campaign, the kid's making a proper case.
From Treble Glory to Island Exile
Virgili's La Masia stint was pure fairy tale at first. He smashed a historic treble with the U19s – La Liga, Copa del Rey, and UEFA Youth League – before earning minutes with Barça Atlètic. But then came the hammer: relegation for the B team, and a preseason snub from Hansi Flick.
The German gaffer took the squad to Asia, leaving Virgili twiddling thumbs back home. "I was gutted, hoping to sneak some first-team action," he admitted. Enter Mallorca, who snapped him up for a bargain €3.5 million (£4m-ish). Barça cleverly held onto 50% sell-on rights and a right to match any bids – clever, that.
Under Jagoba Arrasate and now Martín Demichelis, he's a nailed-on starter on the right flank. Come March, he'll strut his stuff for Spain U21s too. Not bad for a lad who gambled on regular footy over B-team purgatory.
Rashford Riddle Could Pave Virgili's Path Home
Timing's everything in transfers, innit? Barcelona are in a flap over their wingers. Marcus Rashford's loving life in Catalonia on his season-long loan from Man United, and both want him to stick around. Problem is, United want the €35 million (£26m) buy clause triggered – and freshly re-elected prez Joan Laporta ain't keen this summer.
Enter the alternatives. Benfica's Andreas Schjelderup has name-dropped Flick's side as his dream move. But Virgili? He's Barça-bred, cheap to reclaim, and already proving his chops. With that matching rights clause, a Camp Nou reunion after just one year away feels less pie-in-the-sky than you'd think.
Picture Flick unleashing him alongside the big guns – the La Masia magic reborn. Mallorca fans might cry foul, but for Virgili, it's the boyhood dream calling louder than the Balearic breeze. Keep an eye on this one, lads; summer windows love a good homecoming.
As reported by SI Soccer, Virgili's blooming fast. Will Deco dial that number? Fancy a pint to debate it?
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