Mikayil Faye (19), who scored a goal and put in a fine performance on his first cap for the Senegalese national team and still plays for Barça B, is sending a message to his Barcelona managers. This summer, the central defender will have arguments to back up his claim for first-team playing time.
When it comes to Mikayil Faye, we don't talk about age. At 19 years of age and without a single professional match under his belt with Barça, the Senegalese neo-international is hoping to force his managers' hand by putting in some fine performances to take his career to the next level. With so many clubs keeping an eye on his situation, the Lion of Teranga's case is becoming a priority for Barça.
Avoid an episode a la Xavi Simons or Kubo. FC Barcelona shouldn't make the mistake of losing a talent like Mikayil Faye. Recruited for 1.5 million euros from Croatian club NK Kustosija to bolster the Barça B squad, the Diambars-trained player quickly won over the coaching staff and became a key member of the Catalan club's reserve team. But now soccer has changed, as Kylian Mbappé reminded us. When you're good, no matter what your age, you have to play. The proof is in Lamine Yamal, who has joined Barça's senior team alongside Pau Cubarsi. Mikayil Faye is determined to succeed for the Blaugrana.Under contract until 2027, he wants to get his chance to try and earn his place. His first cap for Senegal last Friday, with just 44 minutes on the pitch to send in a majestic strike to score against Gabon (3-0) in a friendly, on his debut for the Lions. It was enough to send a message to his managers. Mikayil Faye is a modern defender capable of playing both on the flank and in the middle.
Join the first team or go out on loan
Such a versatile player with great technical ability to get the ball out. The physical maturity to stand up to duels. A personality and leadership that stand out at this age. It's impossible to imagine Barça thinking of parting with such a player. But it would also be naive to believe that Mikayil Faye will be content to play for the youngsters for another season. Although the 400 million euro clause protects the Catalan club, a number of suitors are already ready to invest in this promising player. Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and RC Lens are all interested and that's not all. To ward off these temptations, Barça will have to think about integrating him into the first team for next season. They will have to think about whether to keep him and make him a permanent fixture in the squad, or whether to use the loan option. Sending the player to another club to allow him to develop by gaining playing time is a possibility that could be interesting for the Senegalese international.
Take the risk of asking for a transfer?
With his first taste of the national team, Mikayil Faye can already set his sights on Morocco for the African Cup of Nations in 2025. In a sector where the Lions' coach, Aliou Cissé, has few certainties between under-performing players lacking playing time and others at the end of their careers, this desire to rejuvenate the team could work in the defender's favor. In the event of an impasse with Barça, Mikayil Faye could, in extreme circumstances, ask to leave the club to try a new adventure. This young player is well capable of doing just that, having had the courage to leave Diambars and forego a move to Olympique de Marseille. With the offers on his agent's table, he'll be spoilt for choice. With this very substantial clause, the Catalan club will have to be open to a departure. In financial difficulty for the past few seasons, Barça needs to sell in order to afford some prestigious recruits. Touching a few tens of millions on a player who has yet to play a professional match could be an option to consider. What is certain is that Barça and Mikayil Faye will have to sit down and talk things over, because there will be a lot to discuss this summer about the future of this marriage.
