Barcelona have announced that youngster Kays Ruiz-Atil has been released by the club just one-year after he rejoined the Catalonians. The 19-year-old, once dubbed the ‘new Messi', has been previously linked with Arsenal, with his release potentially handing the club an opportunity to revive their interest.
It comes ahead of a huge summer for Mikel Arteta in shaping his side for next season. A number of positions are said to be a priority, such as up front and in the midfield, with a lack of depth still an issue at the club.
Discussing potential upcoming transfer plans, the Spaniard said: "What we want to do is improve the team and the squad. There’s not a player that can’t improve. We want to retain our best players for sure and add quality and depth.
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"We have to be prepared for when we’re going to do that [keep players] and why. We can control those timings. Sometimes it’s inevitable but we want to maintain our best players.”
While players for the present have been linked, such as Ruben Neves, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Alexander Isak, there may also be a view to the future. Brazilian talent Marquinhos has been heavily reported to be of interest this summer, opening the potential for yet more promising youth signings.
One of which could be a revival in reported interest for Kays Ruiz-Atil, who is recently a free agent. The Barcelona club statement read : “FC Barcelona has informed the French player Kays Ruiz that he is doing without his services. In this way, the French midfielder puts an end to his Barça stint. The Club wishes him luck and success in the future.”
It comes just one-year after the midfielder made the move back to Catalonia from PSG, where he managed several first-team appearances. The return wasn’t quite as successful though, despite previously being likened to football icon Lionel Messi.
It remains to be seen whether a deal would be of interest to the Gunners, but it could bolster their strength in depth and add to their future first-team prospects.
