Valencia to target Barça youngster Halilovic in the summer

Barcelona have communicated to Alen Halilovic that he will not be in the first team next season as they don't want to halt his progression. Therefore, they are looking for the ideal team for him to continue his growth. 

So far, Valencia have asked about the Croatian's situation and Barça would be interested in doing a deal with an option to re-buy the youngster, so as to increase the amount of money available to them next season. Many Spanish teams are keen on Halilovic and it seems difficult to imagine him continuing on loan at Sporting. 

The skillful player will finish this year, his first season at the top level, having impressed. He joined Sporting knowing he would play and, until now, he has started 20 games and appeared from the bench eight times. He has scored three goals and created three. 

Halilovic left Barça because he wanted to play regularly and Luis Enrique didn't feel he was ready for the first team. He has a strong personality and he was close to joining the Premier League or the Bundesliga, too. Finally, Barça convinced him to remain in Spain and it's been a success. 

His evolution has been impressive. In fact, Sevilla's sporting director Monchi told SPORT: "Halilovic is a top player. He has a lot quality and personality. At his age, at times he's carried Sporting on his back and that says a lot about him as a player." 

Despite those words, Sevilla, a club with a great relationship with Barcelona, have not yet made a move for the player. 

Valencia have followed him throughout the season and consider him a player who will explode in the future. This season he has had some difficulties in terms of sacrifice at Sporting, but Valencia are convinced he would shine even more in a team more made for attacking. 

The transfer would interest all three parties, as long as there was a buy-back option - as with Denis Suarez at Villarreal. For Barça, they would get 12 million euros to invest in next season, although they would have to pay more to bring him back from Los Che. It's also important for the Catalan club that Halilovic continues to develop in La Liga next season. 

It remains to be seen what the player wants. There are also many Premier League clubs interested in him. However, he will sway towards what Barça want. He knows his chance will come if he makes sacrifices and continues to evolve.