According to Sport, as cited by Sport Witness, Watford are “very interested” in signing Oriol Busquets. The relegated Premier League outfit are looking to secure the services of the Barcelona midfielder on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy clause, should they gain promotion back to the top-flight next season. Barcelona are expected to come up with a decision shortly after holding initial discussions with the Hornets.
What Does Oriol Busquets Bring To The Table?
One of the more gifted players to come out of La Masia academy in recent years, Busquets’ has had some difficulties breaking into the first-team at Barcelona for multiple reasons.
He has, however, enjoyed tremendous success for Barcelona B, where he has primarily featured as a holding midfielder. The youngster most recently played for Twente, making 21 league appearances in the Eredivisie before returning to Catalonia this summer.
Busquets has impressed the onlookers with his expert passing and remarkable positional sense. He also has an imposing 1.85m frame and is capable of creating turnovers in the middle of the park with his accurate tackling and tenacity.
Moreover, the 21-year-old can initiate attacks from deep using his vision and ability to thread long diagonal balls from the back. The Spaniard does tend to drop deep as well, almost acting as an auxiliary centre-back to navigate the build-up play.
Why Barcelona Keep Hold of Oriol Busquets
Oriol Busquets must remain at Barcelona this summer as his similarities with Sergio Busquets stretch far beyond than just their names.
While the latter’s rapid decline at Catalonia has already been well documented, Oriol can emerge as an ideal successor for Barcelona in the number six slot.
As mentioned earlier, the youngster’s style of play bears a resemblance to Sergio, though the two are not necessarily related. His qualities in possession could enhance Barcelona’s effectiveness in the build-up while the Spaniard can also add the pace as well as the youthful exuberance to the squad.
Oriol will not be considered as a first-team option for Barcelona next season. However, with Ivan Rakitic returning to Sevilla and Arturo Vidal also being linked with a move to Inter Milan, it could pave the way for the La Masia graduate to earn a more prominent role in the first-team.
Although new signing Miralem Pjanic is expected to assume the number six role, the Bosnian is already in the final phase of his career. Busquets, in that regard, could serve as not only a back-up but also a potential long-term replacement as Barcelona continue their search for young blood.
