MLS
Who is Mamadou Fall? Barcelona close in on deal for LAFC defender
The 20-year-old centre back spent last year on loan with LaLiga side Villarreal and is reportedly set to move to Spain on a permanent basis.
LAFC defender Mamadou Fall is reportedly close to a move to Spanish champions Barcelona, having spent last year on loan with Villarreal.
The Athletic reports that Barcelona have a agreed a deal worth around $7 million to secure the services of the young centre back. The transfer window in Spain ends on Friday, meaning that the two clubs have a day left to finalise the transfer.
Barcelona’s financial constraints mean that they have been unable to spend vast sums on players this summer, as they have done in previous years. Of the three players to have arrived so far - İlkay Gündoğan, Iñigo Martínez, Oriol Romeu - only the latter cost them a transfer fee, a modest $3.7 million.
It is expected that Fall will begin with the club’s Barcelona B side, until he is ready to step up to the senior team.
Who is Barcelona signing Mamadou Fall?
The 20-year-old has built a reputation as one of the most talented young defenders in MLS, but his first team experience is still relatively limited. He enjoyed a break-through season in 2021, making 36 MLS appearances in Black and Gold.
After a successful first campaign he was loaned out to LaLiga side Villarreal, assigned to play for their reserve team in the Spanish second tier. He played 25 times in LaLiga 2 and made the step up to play for the first team in LaLiga on one occasion.
Since returning to LAFC this summer he has made three appearances, starting just once.