Highly-rated teenager Mexx Meerdink reveals desire to join Barcelona

The 19-year-old came through the youth system at his Dutch club, and he has already turned out for their first team on six occasions, with all of those appearances coming this term.

Meerdink has featured four times in the Eredivisie this season, in addition to playing twice in the UEFA Conference League, but he has hit the headlines due to his performances in the UEFA Youth League.

The forward netted nine times in six appearances, including two goals and an assist against Hajduk Split Under-19s in Monday's final during a brilliant performance that only last 45 minutes.

Meerdink has also registered against Barcelona Under-19s and Real Madrid Under-19s in the competition this season, playing a leading role in AZ Under-19s winning the tournament.

Barcelona are thought to be one of a number of clubs keeping a close eye on his performances, and the attacker has said that he wants to play for the Catalan outfit in the future.

"The club I would like to play for? Barcelona," he said when questioned on the 'Khalid&Sophie' Dutch television programme.

Meerdink has been involved in four of AZ's last five league matches, including featuring as a substitute in the team's 3-0 victory over RKC Waalwijk last weekend.

The Dutchman was also a part of the side that beat Anderlecht in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Conference League, with West Ham United now waiting in the semi-finals of the tournament.

AZ are in a strong position when it comes to the youngster's future, as he only signed a new contract in April 2022, with his current agreement due to run until June 2027.

The extent of Barcelona's summer activity is unclear at this stage, with the Catalan outfit needing to balance the books due to their ongoing financial problems.

Xavi's side are believed to primarily be looking at free agents, with Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan thought to be a leading target, as the German's deal with the English champions will soon expire.

RB Leipzig's Dani Olmo is also said to be a low-cost summer target, while Gundogan's teammate Aymeric Laporte is believed to be on the club's radar.

There will have to be a couple of high-profile exits at Camp Nou in the upcoming market, and the future of Brazilian attacker Raphinha is currently being called into question, with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United all said to be keen to bring him back to the Premier League.