Barcelona Set to Recall Álex Valle After Breakout Loan Spell Under Cesc Fàbregas
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is set to meet with sporting director Deco this week to finalize key squad decisions ahead of the summer transfer window. High on the agenda: evaluating the club’s loaned-out players and determining which, if any, will return to Camp Nou for the 2025/26 season.
According to AS, three players are under immediate review: Clément Lenglet (Atlético Madrid), Oriol Romeu (Girona), and Álex Valle (Como). Of these, Álex Valle has emerged as the standout candidate for reintegration into the first-team setup.
The 21-year-old full-back, who split the season between Celtic and Como, made a major impression in Serie A, becoming a key figure in Cesc Fàbregas’ rapidly improving side. Como holds a €6 million buy clause, but internal uncertainties—including Fàbregas’ future—may impact whether the Italian club exercises it.
Meanwhile, El Nacional reports that Flick has personally requested Valle’s return, describing his preseason departure as a “misstep” and emphasizing the need to bring the player back “at any cost.” The German tactician is believed to value Valle’s pace, intelligence, and versatility in defensive transitions—attributes that align with his high-tempo tactical approach.
Should the recall be confirmed, Valle could find himself competing for a starting role next season, especially with Balde’s fitness inconsistencies and Flick’s rumored intention to offload fringe defenders as part of a broader squad overhaul.
Flick and Deco’s meeting marks the first significant step in defining Barcelona’s new-look squad—and Valle may just be the first name penciled back in.
