Barcelona is reportedly in talks to sign Arsenal's young talent, Miguel Azeez, despite his controversial past and a less than successful loan spell at Wigan Athletic. The 20-year-old midfielder, who has only made one appearance for Arsenal's first team, spent last season on loan at Ibiza in Spain's second-tier league before joining Wigan. However, his time at Wigan was marked by controversy and limited game time.
Azeez's potential move to Barcelona comes as a surprise, given his recent history. The midfielder was not included in Arsenal's squad for their pre-season tour of the United States, signaling a likely exit from the club. Barcelona is reportedly keen on signing Azeez for their B team, which currently plays in the Spanish third tier.
Despite having a year left on his contract with Arsenal, Azeez is expected to move to Barcelona on a free transfer. Arsenal, however, will receive a significant portion of any future sale.
️ | TRANSFERS: Barcelona chase Arsenal youngster.
According to The Mirror (@MirrorFootball), Barcelona are eyeing a move for Arsenal youngster Miguel Azeez.
️ “Barcelona are keen to sign the Gunners academy graduate for their B team, who currently play in the Spanish… pic.twitter.com/lrXhe7q95B — Punch Drunk Arsenal (@PunchDrunkAFC) July 19, 2023
Azeez's potential has been recognized by former Arsenal striker and captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who once tipped him to become a "great player." Aubameyang stated, "Miguel is going to be a great player in the future. He's really calm and mature so I'm sure he's got what you need to be a success and have a big career."
However, Azeez's career has not been without controversy. His loan spell at Wigan ended in a contentious incident involving his brother, Femi Azeez, who plays for Reading. After a match between Wigan and Reading, which confirmed Wigan's relegation to League One, Femi reportedly berated Wigan's manager, Shaun Maloney, on the pitch. The issue at hand was Miguel's lack of game time since Maloney took over as manager.
Azeez also faced disciplinary action during his time at Wigan, being sent to the academy for two weeks after showing disrespect to a member of the coaching staff. He was reportedly sent back to Arsenal from both Portsmouth and Ibiza during the 2021-22 season.
As Azeez prepares for a potential move to Barcelona, he will be keen to turn over a new page and fulfill the high expectations set for him. His journey serves as a reminder that talent alone is not enough to succeed in the highly competitive world of football. Discipline, respect, and the ability to adapt to new environments are equally important.
