Barcelona to miss out on 18-year-old gem as Bayern Munich table long-term contract offer

Given Barcelona’s financial situation, more and more focus has been placed on signing young talents with potential so that they can be developed into stars within the club.

That strategy led to the signings of talents like Noah Darvich, Mika Faye, and Mamadou Mbacke, among others in the past transfer windows.

Keeping in line with that policy, Barça have been keeping tabs on another exciting young talent in Europe in the form of Matija Popovic.

The 18-year-old has become a free agent after his contract with Partizan Belgrade expired on December 31, 2023. A falling out with the Serbian club in the summer meant that renewal talks collapsed and he was frozen out.

Ever since, interest has been mounting in Popovic, with Barcelona also being linked with the 18-year-old forward.

Bayern Munich best-placed to sign Popovic

Despite the interest from Barcelona, Popovic arriving at the club as a free agent always looked distant, especially with the club also adding Vitor Roque to the roster.

Furthermore, it was strongly believed that the Serbian starlet would be signing for AC Milan in Italy, with negotiations appearing to have been in advanced stages between the two parties not very long ago.

However, as per the latest reports from Sky Germany, as relayed by Mundo Deportivo, Bayern Munich are now best placed to sign Popovic as a free agent.

The Bavarian giants have already made a long-term contract offer to the 18-year-old versatile attacking midfielder, who can play anywhere in the attacking third.

During his time with Partizan, Popovic had scored 21 goals and set up five more from 25 appearances for the Serbian side’s Under-17 outfit.

Given the potential he showcased, the youngster would have been a good acquisition for Barcelona with an eye on the future. However, it is Bayern Munich who seem set to sign the young gem.