Barcelona 19-year-old gem set for first senior call-up against Mallorca – report

With Barcelona set to face off against RCD Mallorca later tonight, Xavi Hernandez is yet to announce the squad list for the game.

With the squad list likely to be announced soon, Toni Juanmarti of SPORT is reporting that there could be a first-time call-up for youngster Mikayil Faye.

In fact, the 19-year-old Senegalese defender could even make his official first-team debut for Barcelona tonight against Mallorca.

Faye arrived at Barcelona in the summer transfer window from Kustosija and has been making great progress with the club’s reserve team, Barça Atletic, under Rafa Marquez.

The left-footed centre-back has played a couple of matches for Xavi’s team, but those were unofficial friendly games against AC Milan (pre-season) and Club America (mid-season).

Faye has been a regular in training sessions with the first-team setup and now appears all set to be called up to the first-team squad list for the first time ever since joining Barcelona.

With Ronald Araujo suspended and the likes of Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen likely to be rested, the young centre-half may even have some minutes on the field, although Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez are expected to be starting central defenders.

Faye’s progress has not only impressed the Barcelona coaches but the youngster has already been attracting interest from outside.

Clubs like Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund have taken an interest in the Senegalese talent and it is unlikely that he would continue with Barça Atletic next season.

It will be interesting to see if Barcelona integrate him into the senior setup, loan him out, or opt for an outright sale.