As RB Leipzig circle, Koeman opens up on ‘horrible’ Ilaix Moriba situation

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has, on Friday, provided his take on the controversy surrounding youngster Ilaix Moriba.

Blaugrana standout

Rumours surrounding the plans of highly-regarded midfielder Moriba have come to the fore in a major way of late.

The 18-year-old, long viewed as one of the most promising up and coming talents at the Camp Nou, is a product of the club’s famed La Masia academy.

Moriba exploded onto the first-team picture last season, adding some much-needed cutting edge to Ronald Koeman’s ranks in the middle of the park over the 2nd-half of the campaign.

After being handed his senior bow in a La Liga meeting with Alaves back in February, the midfield all-rounder quickly notched an assist, paving the way for a further 16 appearances over the course of the run-in.

His first-ever goal for the Blaugrana, versus Osasuna early in March, meanwhile, highlighted a number of Moriba’s impressive attacking traits:

‘Situation is horrible’

In turn, it is safe to say that recent reports doing the rounds in the media, pointing towards a potential Camp Nou exit for Moriba, have come as a concern for all associated with Barcelona.

Such uncertainty stems from the teen’s contract situation. Moriba has thus far knocked back Barca’s insistent renewal efforts, with the club having responded by excluding their gifted young talent from all first-team activities.

And, as outlined above, on Friday, a fresh perspective on the situation has been provided, by none other than the Blaugrana’s boss.

Speaking during a press conference ahead of his side’s meeting with Athletic Bilbao this weekend, Ronald Koeman was asked for an update on Moriba by the expectant media.

And the Dutchman went on to reveal that, several weeks back, he sat down for a heart-to-heart with his young midfielder.

During the discussion, which saw Koeman speak more ‘as a person than a coach’, the Barca boss advised Moriba to reconsider his situation, amid the suggestion that the teen has his priorities all wrong as things stand:

Swiftly following Koeman’s comments, meanwhile, has been confirmation that one European club have made first contacts with the board at the Camp Nou over Moriba’s signing.

The outfit in question? RB Leipzig.

As per a report from Mundo Deportivo, the Bundesliga heavyweights have made clear to Barca that they intend to sign Moriba over the coming weeks, with a proposal for the Spaniard seemingly imminent.