Femi Solaja
Following Tuesday’s successful medical at Barcelona, former Enyimba FC forward, Ezekiel Bassey, dazzled Barcelona B team technical officials on his first day at work at Camp Nou.
The lightening quick winger, nicknamed Hazard, was initially billed to return to Nigeria after three days in Spain to sort out his residency permit but impressed with his performance on day-one, the club officials had other option by allowing him to stay for another three weeks to enable him settle down while the paper works are sorted out.
Although the Nigerian player was signed to play for the Team B in the Segunda Lig, he has prospect of training with the main team if he is able to impress further considering the fact that more than half of his team mates have occasionally trained with the senior team and some have even gotten quality playing time in the process.
THISDAY recalled that the likes of Adama Troure of Cameroon moved from Barca team B to Everton for €15m same for Gerard Deulofeu who moved to Everton two years ago.
Should the Nigeria star finds his way into the main team currently topping the second division table, the release clause in his contract will no doubt be higher than what other young players who have passed through the La Massia Academy received from full contract.
Bassey joined Barcelona on loan from Enyimba on transfer deadline day (Tuesday) with an option of a two-year extension after the loan spell.
He was one of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) All-Star team that went on playing tour of Spain to seal the partnership between the League Management Company (LMC) and the Spanish La Liga.
Bassey is a daring winger who also featured at last year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda.
The Barcelona B side is currently topping the table with 46 points from 23 matches and last weekend played 1-1 home draw against second on the table, Alcoyano FC who are on 43 points.
Although Barcelona B side will be away to Baleares FC this weekend, the Nigerian can make a debut the following week when his side play host to Mallorca B.
In a related development, a major fall-out of Bassey’s move to Spain may have increased the interest in the NPFL by La Liga teams.
No fewer than 10 teams in the top division in Spain have made enquiries with the League Management Company (LMC) on the possibility of pouching fresh talents from the domestic league.
LMC big wigs have been inundated with calls from these La Liga teams seeking to know the secret behind the Bassey deal.
