According to reports from The Daily Mail this afternoon, Barcelona are considering loaning out youngster Alen Halilovic next season – with Everton and West Ham emerging as potential Premier League destinations.
The 19 year-old had virtually every major club in world football fighting over his services whilst causing waves at Dynamo Zagreb, before eventually deciding to join European champions Barcelona last summer.
He’s since featured prominently for their second string – Barcelona B – claiming four goals in 30 appearances from his debut season, whilst also representing the first team in the Copa del Rey.
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But the Croatian international, who has been compared to countryman and Real Madrid star Luka Modric in style, is keen to explore his options for next season and would be prepared to go out on loan.
According to The Mail, fresh West Ham appointment Slaven Bilic is a big admirer of the 5 foot 7 attacking midfielder, whilst Everton are also in the mix to sign him temporarily – likely due to Gerard Deulofeu’s impressive progression at Goodison Park during his 2013/14 loan spell.
However, Barcelona remain concerned that a 19 year-old with little top flight experience could struggle to adapt to the physical nature of the Premier League. That could see him Sevilla instead, a club considerably closer to home.