Barcelona winger Adama Traore is set to snub a transfer to Liverpool this summer after holding talks with Stoke City.
On Monday night, respected Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio confidently claimed that the 19-year-old would make the move to Merseyside this summer; however, his assertion may have been premature, if reports from Spain are to be believed.
According to Mundo Deportivo [via the Metro], Traore had dinner with Stoke City officials on Tuesday night and will attend the Potters’ training session today – suggesting that he could seal a transfer to the Britannia Stadium shortly.
Stoke City recently secured the signing of Ibrahim Afellay on a free transfer from Barca [via BBC Sport], and Mark Hughes could thus quickly be set to business with the Liga BBVA giants once more.
With Barcelona team-mate Pedro Rodriguez rumoured to be heading to Manchester United in the coming days, according to Marca, after falling behind Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi in the pecking order at the Nou Camp, it’s unlikely that Traore will be awarded much playing time under Luis Enrique in the near future.
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He made his La Liga debut at just 17-years-old in November 2013, but has spent the vast majority of his time subsequently in Barca’s B side – and appears to be in search of first-team action.
Despite the possibility of qualifying for the Champions League in a year’s time, Liverpool, having signed Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Danny Ings and Christian Benteke, will struggle to guarantee the youngster the playing minutes he’s looking for.
Stoke City, therefore, could be an excellent move for the promising youngster.