Barcelona, Real Madrid eye Moleiro, but face competition from abroad

One of the most exciting talents in Spain, Las Palmas midfielder Alberto Moleiro is attracting major interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona, who both made initial moves to sign the 19-year-old last summer. Barça came the closest to signing the youngster - there was a public acknowledgement on both sides that the Blaugrana had tabled a firm offer - but an agreement could not be reached.

Moleiro’s release clause could double next year

Under contract at Las Palmas until 2026, Moleiro has a release clause of €30m ($29.7m), but this buy-out fee will double if the Segunda División side are promoted back to the Spanish top flight this season. Given that Francisco García Pimienta’s side are currently third in the table, that could well happen - so Moleiro’s suitors would be advised to seal a deal for him as soon as possible.

Barça keen to do January deal for Las Palmas starlet

Last summer, Las Palmas sought €10 million ($9.9m) plus €15m ($14.8m) in add-ons, but Barça were unable to meet that asking price due to their financial constraints. However, having raised money by activating a series of economic ‘levers’, and with Gerard Piqué’s retirement lightening the club’s wage bill, the Catalans are now in a position to sign Moleiro in January. Barça’s plan would be to complete the transfer in the mid-season window, but loan the player back to Las Palmas until the end of the season.

Madrid’s Castilla plan puts Moleiro off

Barça face competition from Madrid and two overseas teams, though.

In the summer, Madrid sounded out a deal for Moleiro, but their intention was to add him to the squad of their ‘B’ team, Castilla. The player was not keen on this idea; he was open to being loaned out to a top-flight team, as has been the case of other youngsters signed by Madrid in recent years, but he balked at the prospect of having to drop down a division and talks with Los Blancos did not go any further. However, Madrid continue to keep close tabs on his situation.

Dortmund, Liverpool also chasing youngster

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund have now joined the race for Moleiro. The Germans have a track record of snapping up Spanish talents, having previously lured the likes of Gonzalo Castro, Mikel Merino, Mateu Morey and Guille Bueno to Signal Iduna Park. In late October, a Dortmund scout was in the stands at the Estadio de Gran Canaria to run the rule over Moleiro in Las Palmas’ win over Cartagena.

The fourth team in contention for the teenager’s signature is Liverpool. He has impressed the Premier League club’s scouts and is a player that Anfield boss Jürgen Klopp thinks highly of.