Jan Virgili explodes big time, can Barça recover him?

Jan Virgili, 19 years old, is making headlines. His impressive debut with the U21 team last Friday only confirmed what was already suspected: he is one of the standout newcomers in Spanish football this season. The number ´seven´ of the national team scored two goals against San Marino, and the first of them went viral due to the way he executed it. The former Barça player connected a powerful shot from outside the box that embedded itself in the top corner like a projectile. A spectacular strike that he had already hinted at during his time with Barça Atlètic. In the second half, he found the net again with a play very typical of his style: he finished inside the box after combining with Betis player Pablo García. After the match, the forward admitted: “For me, just being here is already a reward, but today has been the perfect night, the dream debut.” These plays remind us of those he starred in last season with Barça Atlètic, where he became the great breakout player of the reserve team. He started the season in the youth A team, but his footballing explosion led him to make the leap and establish himself as one of the most influential offensive pieces of the team. His performance caught the attention of Flick, who included him at the start of preseason. However, he was one of the players left out for the international tour, a decision that pushed the player to consider a move. It was then that Mallorca burst onto the scene, determined to sign him and eventually securing his transfer for 3.5 million euros. The Mallorca coach, Arrasate, who urgently needed wingers, was impressed by the performances of the Vilassar player both in the U19 European Championship and in the final stretch of the season with Barça Atlètic.

The details of his transfer to Mallorca

Initially, Barça demanded more than four million for 50% of Virgili´s rights. The player also had a significant offer from Almería, which put three million on the table for that same portion of the transfer. Several second division teams were also trying to convince him. Mallorca, at first, did not reach the figure of two million, which led to a long negotiating standoff with Deco. Finally, both entities agreed on a transfer close to 3.5 million, with Barça retaining 50% of the player´s rights. This means that if Mallorca decides to sell him in the future, the Catalan club will receive half of the amount. Additionally, Barça reserved a right of first refusal, so that if the Balearic team receives an offer for the player, the Catalans can match it and reclaim the winger. In Mallorca, Virgili quickly adapted and has become a key player: he is the most unbalancing attacker in the squad and has already provided two assists. Virgili himself did not close the door to a possible return to Camp Nou just a few days ago. ”If one day the doors of the first team open for me, I would be delighted. It has always been my dream,” he declared. He also confessed his feelings about his departure: ”It was a complicated decision, but I was clear that I wanted to play in the top division. I left in search of minutes and opportunities, although it hurt to leave the club,” he expressed in an interview with Marca.