Barcelona are reportedly eyeing up alternatives to Philippe Coutinho, whose stock continues to rise after a fantastic run of form, and have reportedly earmarked Mikel Oyarzabal as a target, according to The Mirror.
The 20-year-old apparently comes with an endorsement to the Barcelona board from Lionel Messi of all people following an excellent start to the campaign.
The winger will be hoping to earn a place in next summer’s World Cup squad with Spain and a move to one of the countries super powers may well help his cause, with Real Madrid also thought to be monitoring the youngster’s progress.
Oyarzabal has scored six goals in 11 league appearances this season and another two more in four Europa League outings for Real Sociedad this season.
Of players aged 21 and under in Europe’s top five leagues only Gabriel Jesus (8) and Bordeaux’s Malcom (7) have notched more league goals this term, with Oyarzabal already having scored three times as many goals as he managed last term.
