In a recent report, El Gol Digital has claimed that Barcelona are showing interest in signing LOSC Lille goalkeeper Leo Jardim, who is currently playing on loan at Boavista, in the summer. It is understood that the Catalan giants are eyeing a move to bring the Brazilian custodian to the Nou Camp in this off-season (via El Gol Digital).
Jardim’s Excellent Loan Spell In Portuguese Football This Season
Jardim has experienced a solid loan spell in Portuguese football as he has caught the eye while operating as Boavista’s primary goalkeeper this season. The 26-year-old has made 35 appearances for the Portuguese club this term, conceding 49 goals and securing ten clean sheets in the process across multiple competitions.
The Brazilian sensation has performed well to average 1.0 clearances and 6.3 long balls per game in this Liga NOS campaign. However, he has often gone long when distributing the ball out from the back which explains why he has only completed 47.1% of his attempted passes in top-flight football (stats via whoscored).
At 26, Jardim has plenty of years left in him and could be a decent replacement for Neto who has been linked with a move to West Ham United this summer. Based on his recent form, he might just be good enough to fight for a regular starting place in Barca’s first-team in the coming seasons.
Should Barcelona Snap Jardim Up In This Off-Season?
Jardim has decent reflexes in his locker that allow him to make some fine saves at the back. He can pull off a few quick dives to deny the opposition a goal and can be a solid handler of the ball as well. Standing at 1.88m, the Brazilian custodian is a commanding presence inside his six-yard box but needs to work on improving his passing if he wants to be a success story at the Nou Camp.
There is no doubt that Jardim will add some much-needed depth to Barca’s squad that has struggled to fire on all cylinders in both domestic and European football. He has proven his worth as a capable keeper in Portuguese football this season but only time will tell whether he can make a smooth transition to La Liga if the Catalans can engineer a move to land him ahead of the new campaign.
Jardim has enough experience under his belt to serve as an ideal deputy to Marc-Andre ter Stegen if Barca end up retaining the German keeper’s services beyond this summer. With all things considered, the Spanish outfit should consider snapping up the Brazilian shot-stopper’s services as he could help them challenge across all competitions in the years to come.
