Barcelona have been impressed by Munir El Haddadi’s progress in recent seasons and are now on the verge of rewarding him with a new four-year contract.
Once touted as the next big emerging star owing to his performances at junior levels, Munir El Haddadi’s career seemed to have gone astray in recent years, as opportunities at the Camp Nou came far and short. But Marca are now reporting that Barcelona are ready to offer the forward a new contract and tie him down for the next four years.
Barcelona sees the player of some value and feels he merits a new deal based on his performances in recent years. Munir spent the last two season on loan, first at Valencia and then last season at Alaves. At the Basque club, he scored 14 goals last season in 37 appearances.
It is his spells at fellow La Liga clubs and his performances for Barcelona during pre-season that has prompted the club to consider him as an asset for the future. Handing him a four-year contract will see him stay at the club until 2022, whereas his current deal expires next summer.
Barcelona manager, Ernesto Valverde and his support staff have been satisfied with the forward’s performances and are eager to count on him for the current season. This has also been a message they have relayed on the player directly, and he now feels he could get the game time at the Catalan side, something he’s been craving for a few years now.
Barcelona however, initially was thought to be keen selling Munir this season, considering his contract was up next year. On the other hand, Paco Alcacer was expected to continue at the club. But recent developments suggest Alcacer could move to Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona are hoping to recoup the €30 million they paid for him.
Alcacer’s exit will not be responded with a dip in the last days of the transfer market, as Barcelona feel they have enough options on the offensive front. That said, Munir is considered as the internal replacement the club are considering for Alcacer, which could also let the 22-year-old feature in games for Barcelona this season.
As for how Valverde uses Munir in the coming season, its anyone’s guess that the forward will play a role from the bench as well as in cup games. But as for gaining a starting spot, he still has to bide his time and prove to the manager he is as capable of Barcelona’s other forward options.
