Barcelona are reportedly preparing the groundwork for a potential shock return that could see a former winger back in Blaugrana colours.
The Catalan club are still weighing up their options on the left flank, even as they assess the future of Marcus Rashford, who is currently on loan from Manchester United.
With the season entering its final stretch, Barcelona’s sport‑tech department and sporting director Deco are exploring several names to add depth and pace to the wing, and one faded academy face has now re‑emerged as a compelling, cost‑effective target.
The player in question is Ez Abde, the 24‑year‑old Moroccan winger who spent time in Barcelona’s first‑team squad before moving to Real Betis in the summer of 2023 for a fee of around €7.5 million, as reported by ESPN.
Abde made 14 senior appearances for Barcelona before his departure and helped the club retain a 50 percent share of any future sell‑on, later reduced to 20 percent after the Vitor Roque–Palmeiras deal in January 2025.
This existing financial stake makes any future transfer involving Abde significantly cheaper for Barcelona compared with an entirely fresh market purchase.
This season, Abde has enjoyed a strong campaign at Betis, scoring nine goals and setting up eight more in 32 appearances across all competitions, making him a realistic candidate to provide depth behind Raphinha on the left wing.
His combination of pace, dribbling, and defensive work rate fits Hansi Flick’s preferred style, and signing him would add competition without demanding a massive upfront outlay.
However, his potential return is not guaranteed. Barcelona’s decision will hinge largely on what they do with Marcus Rashford, whose €30 million permanent‑buy option can be activated until June 15.
If the club decides against keeping Rashford, re‑signing Abde could become a priority; if they commit to the English winger, the Moroccan’s return may be pushed back to a later window.
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