Stoke City U23 Overview

Alex Baena has heaped incredible praise on Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal, claiming the teenager is now the primary reason he tunes in to watch the Catalan giants. Atletico Madrid midfielder compared the youngster's impact to that of Lionel Messi, suggesting that Yamal has reached a level of individual brilliance that sets him apart from every other professional in the game.

Julian Alvarez is preparing to overhaul his management team following a summer transfer window that failed to deliver a move away from the Metropolitano. The Argentina international remains a primary target for several European heavyweights, and a change in representation could be the catalyst for a future exit.

Manchester United teenager JJ Gabriel has travelled to Barcelona to hold discussions regarding a potential transfer, having recently informed the Premier League side of his desire to terminate his current registration immediately. The highly rated forward is attracting heavy interest from top European teams ahead of his 16th birthday early next month.

Barcelona winger Raphinha has publicly declared his absolute commitment to the Catalan club, expressing a strong desire to sign a contract extension and ultimately finish his professional career at Camp Nou. The Brazilian forward has enjoyed a sensational start to the current campaign, scoring freely and wearing the captain's armband, which has further solidified his long-term plans.