Llagostera close to effectively becoming Barça C
The delicate situation UE Llagostera are currently experiencing in their second season in the Segunda Division is close to finding a solution. The Catalan side and FC Barcelona, since last season, have been working on an agreement which would see Oriol Alsina's side play various players from Barça's Juvenil A team.
Llagostera, who are currently six points from safety, have been facing an uncertain future. In fact, their stay in Liga Adelante has become more of an ordeal than a success story. After one positive year, above all on a football level, this second season has allowed them to discover the obstacles facing the club. The grants from the local government are reducing all the time and the attendance at the Nou Estadi de Palamos is nothing to brag about - the opposite, in fact. Alsina is expected to perform miracles with the budget he has to form a competitive squad.
For all of these reasons, Llagostera have been seeking alternatives to guarantee their future in the case that they drop back into Segunda B. An agreement with Barça would hand the club an immediate economic boost. In sporting terms, they would become the new Barça C. Barça would loan Llagostera all the players in Juvenil A that have potential to make a name for themselves, but who need more time before breaking into Barça B. It's time that doesn't exist today, because the players that don't make it at Barça B have to look for a living elsewhere.
One thing left to resolve would be Llagostera's place in Liga Adelante is they stay up. When talks began last season, the possibility of Barça B taking their place in Spain's second tier was talked about. This option still remains on the table, although it doesn't seem to be a key point in Alberto Soler's negotiations - the man responsible for the Barcelona's Professional Sports section. Firstly, because it seems difficult for Llagostera to survive and secondly because it would be a really complicated operation. At Can Barça they feel it's essential for Barça B to be in Liga Adelante, but they want to take things slowly before making a decision of this magnitude.
It's not yet been decided what role Oriol Alsina will play in the potential link up, either. The Llagostera manager has always been keen to work with the Blaugrana and now it seems the moment has arrived. It's important to remember Alsina is not just the manager of the club, but his wife, Isabel Tarrago, is the president, so all the decisions over the management of the club lie in the hands of this married couple.
Sources close to Llagostera have informed SPORT that talks will continue in the coming days. If there's one thing both parties are in agreement over, it's that some form of agreement would be beneifical for everyone. And for that reason they will work on a deal.
