'I'd prefer Halilovic to be Barca's 12th man than go to another club'

'I'd prefer Halilovic to be Barca's 12th man than go to another club'

Alen Halilovic visits Camp Nou on Saturday with Sporting Gijon, the club he is on loan at from Barcelona. The Croatian has impressed in La Liga this year, his first season in Spain's top flight, and is keen for his future to be with Barça. 

At least, that is what his agent Zoran Stojadinovic has revealed in an interview with Cadena Ser. 

"Robert Fernandez is very happy with the player and his progression," he explained. "Due to his situation, his evolution, his improvement and his contribution, [Robert] feels that the loan have been positive. 

"If we were told before he joined Sporting Gijon that he would play around 30 matches, we would have signed really quickly." 

Stojadinovic is clear, though, that the priority now is Barcelona: "If you ask me for my opinion, I prefer that Halilovic becomes Barca's 12th man than a starter at another club. 

"Especially because he is a young player who will play minutes, but we will have to see Barcelona's opinion. We chose Barcelona because he wanted to be a Barça player and if he has the chance to stay - regardless how much money Manchester City and Manchester United come with - he will stay for much less." 

However, if a loan is deemed better, Halilovic's agent would prefer that he stays in Spain again. 

He added: "If Barcelona choose to loan him again, we would prefer him to stay in Spain. For him, La Liga is better than Premier League."