Barcelona continue to reshape their squad ahead of the new season, with attention not only focused on first-team arrivals but also on the futures of several academy products.
The club has already sanctioned a number of departures this summer as it looks to create clearer pathways for young players to gain senior experience elsewhere.
La Masia remains one of the most respected academies in world football, but competition for places in Hansi Flick’s squad is fierce, meaning difficult decisions are often unavoidable.
Several promising youngsters have therefore been exploring opportunities away from the Spotify Camp Nou in search of regular minutes.
Another highly-rated defender now appears to be following that route.
According to SPORT, Barcelona are on the verge of completing the permanent transfer of Alexis Olmedo to Celta Vigo, with the agreement between both clubs expected to be finalised in the coming hours.
Alexis Olmedo is expected to travel to Vigo next week to complete the switch, where he will initially join Celta Fortuna, the club’s reserve side that recently secured promotion to La Liga 2.
Although he is set to begin with the reserves, first-team manager Claudio Giraldez will reportedly keep a close eye on the defender’s progress, with senior opportunities possible if he continues his development.
Celta’s interest has not emerged overnight.
The Galician side have monitored the 20-year-old for an extended period, believing his technical qualities perfectly match their philosophy of building attacks from the back.
Primarily a right-sided centre-back, Olmedo is also capable of playing on the left side of central defence or filling in at right-back, offering valuable tactical flexibility.
Those attributes made him an attractive target for both Giraldez and Fortuna head coach Fredi Alvarez.
Olmedo has spent his entire football education at La Masia, developing through Barcelona’s academy after joining the club at a young age.
His comfort in possession and composure under pressure have long been regarded as standout qualities, reflecting the principles instilled throughout Barcelona’s youth system.
Last season, however, his progress was interrupted after suffering a meniscus injury, keeping him out of action for several months.
Despite that setback, Celta remain convinced of his potential, and the defender now appears set to begin the next chapter of his career away from Barcelona after years of development at La Masia.
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