Marcus Rashford has triggered the first domino effect in Barça's forward line. The arrival of the English striker forces moves in attack. One of the first to fall has been Pau Víctor.
The youth player knows that his minutes will be reduced to the bare minimum. Hansi Flick wants to avoid unnecessary offensive overcrowding. That's why a drastic decision has already been set in motion.
Pau has been informed that he won't be part of the plans for next season. Although his performance was adequate, he hasn't fully convinced. The competition is fierce and Flick is looking for different profiles.
The player won't travel to Asia: his departure is a matter of hours
Pau Víctor had earned the right to stay, but the context no longer favors him. In just 379 min. (379 minutes), he scored two goals and provided one assist. However, it hasn't been enough to earn trust.
Rashford leaves him without a spot and the board doesn't want to hinder his progress. That's why his immediate departure is already being negotiated. The player's camp intends to secure his future before the Asian tour.
The club won't put up obstacles if the conditions are met. Pau has already communicated that he wants a change of scenery as soon as possible. He wants to compete in the top division and isn't willing to wait any longer.
Three offers on the table and a destination preferred by the player
Several LaLiga teams have shown interest in his services in recent weeks. Valencia, Celta, and Real Oviedo have been the most persistent. Each has offered a different formula to sign the forward.
On a sporting level, all of them offer him minutes and continuity. But there's an important detail: Pau wants to stay close to home. That has clearly tipped the balance toward a very specific destination.
The club chosen by the player already knows everything. Pau has informed Barça of his choice and expects the timing to be respected. Only the final agreement between both boards is missing.
Barça keeps a percentage of his future
The formula being negotiated isn't a full transfer, at least for now. The blaugrana club wants to keep part of his economic rights. The idea is to repeat the model used with Pablo Torre.
Barça plans to loan him out with a mandatory purchase option at the end of the season. That figure would be around €7 million. In total, the operation could be close to €10 million.
In return, the club would secure a future capital gain if Pau excels at his new team. His effort is valued, but he doesn't fit into the plans. The decision has already been made by both parties.
The chosen one is...
Pau Víctor has chosen Valencia CF as his next destination. He trusts the project led by Carlos Corberán, one of the surprises of last season. He believes he can grow and compete at the highest level.
At Mestalla, they're already prepared to finalize the agreement with Barça. The departure could be made official before Friday. The white-and-black club seeks to strengthen its attack with young, proven talent.
Pau Víctor wants to show that he can succeed in the top division. At Camp Nou, he hasn't had the desired opportunity. At Mestalla, he trusts he'll find the perfect stage to make the big leap.