Barcelona attacking midfielder Alex Collado is on the verge of sealing another loan exit from Camp Nou, with a move to La Liga side Elche now close to being finalised, reports Albert Roge.
After returning from his loan spell at Granada in the second half of the last season, the 23-year-old La Masia graduate looked set to be a part of Xavi Hernandez’s plans in the upcoming campaign as his versatile nature was valued by the manager.
However, regular game-time would not be guaranteed for the former Barcelona Atletic captain given the level of competition for places in midfield and attack.
And, Collado is keen on being able to play week in week out, which would be difficult at Camp Nou. Hence, he recently requested the management to sanction an exit either on loan or on a permanent transfer.
There has been no shortage of interest in Collado’s services, with as many as four La Liga clubs in Elche, Girona, UD Almeria and Real Valladolid all being keen on signing him on loan. On top of that, he was also on the radars of Celtic and Olympiacos.
However, as per Albert Roge, the 23-year-old is now inching closer to a loan move to Elche. It will be a dry loan deal with no option or obligation to purchase at the end of the season, with the attacking midfielder all set to return to Camp Nou in 2023.
Collado recently signed a new contract with Barcelona until the summer of 2024, although journalist Adria Albets claims that the Catalans want him to extend until 2025 before loaning him out.
A special talent, things have not worked out for him at the first-team level at the club and he will be hoping to enjoy a positive spell at Elche in the coming season.