Barcelona manager Koeman confirms Puig rumours, wants loan move

Koeman says that Puig won't be getting much playing time if he stays.

However, he believes that Riqui will have a great future at Barca nonetheless.

"Riqui Puig? I spoke to him yesterday. In my opinion, young players have to play: Riqui, Carles Alena, Pedri," Ronald Koeman has told the media following the Joan Gamper Trophy match vs Elche.

"I told him that it will be difficult for him to play regularly, but I also told him that he has a future here. A loan deal could work for him."

Koeman didn't include Puig in the match squad for Barcelona's Elche game.

That's despite the 21-year-old putting in great performances in the previous friendlies against Gimnastic and Girona.

According to earlier reports, the Dutch coach doesn't see Puig fit to play neither as a defensive midfielder nor an attacking midfielder in his 4-2-3-1 set-up. Thus, he's told the La Masia graduate to find a new club.