Barcelona teenager refuses renewal talks; January exit very much possible

Barcelona are set to lose one of their promising young talents, as 18-year-old goalkeeper Aron Yaakobishvili has decided not to renew his contract with the club. 

According to a report from SPORT, the deal, which expires in the summer, will mark the end of his time with the Catalan giants unless a transfer materialises in the upcoming winter transfer window.

Reports suggest that Yaakobishvili has already made up his mind about moving on from Barcelona. While his contract runs until the summer, the possibility of an earlier exit during the winter is very much on the cards. 

It is said that The young keeper is actively exploring new opportunities to continue his career and could leave La Masia in the coming weeks to pursue a fresh challenge elsewhere.

A regular fixture in the youth team

Yaakobishvili, who has been a consistent performer for Barcelona’s youth teams, has already had a taste of being part of the first-team environment. He was included in the squad for matches against Young Boys, Getafe, Osasuna, and Alaves. 

Furthermore, he played every game for Barcelona’s youth team in the UEFA Youth League, showcasing his ability by keeping a clean sheet in their 2-0 win over Brest. 

He also made his debut for the reserve team, earning another clean sheet in a goalless draw against Tarazona.

Exit is the solution

Despite his potential and early contributions, Yaakobishvili faces significant competition on his path to the first team. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick relied on him briefly during Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s absence due to injury. 

However, the club ultimately shifted its focus to other goalkeeping options, including Inaki Pena, Ander Astralaga, and Diego Kochen. This decision has effectively limited Yaakobishvili’s opportunities, leaving him to feature primarily for the Juvenil A side.

With his future at Barcelona seemingly closed, the Hungarian talent looks set to part ways with the club that has nurtured him, seeking a new direction where he can continue his growth and development as a goalkeeper.