Barcelona could lose TEN academy stars for nothing this summer as club fail to tie talented under-19 players down to new contracts despite four being earmarked for Hansi Flick's first team

One of Barcelona's strengths as a club is their famed La Masia academy, which has produced some world-class talents like Lionel Messi, Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Cesc Fabregas, Lamine Yamal, and Pau Cubarsi over the years. However, SPORTreports that the Catalans face the daunting prospect of losing as many as ten youngsters from their U19 team this summer.

The likes of winger Arnau Pradas, top scorer Hugo Alba, and Jan Virgili are among the most concerning cases. Despite their potential, the club has yet to present renewal offers to Alba or Pradas, although they do have an option to extend Virgili’s contract for another year. This comes despite the fact that all three, along with players like Jofre Torrents, Quim Junyent, and Brian Farinas, are viewed are touted in the academy to have the potential to break into Hansi Flick's first team.

Pradas has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia, following in the footsteps of Barca Atletic (the reserve side) captain Unai Hernandez. Several other youth players, including Hector Rangel, Farinas, Adrian Gill, Tomas Marques, Alexander Walton, Dani Ferrer, and Marcos Parriego, are also out of contract this summer. Barca sporting director Deco, along with La Masia chiefs Jose Ramon Alexanco and Toni Hernandez, have their work cut out as they contemplate the future of their most promising youngsters.

Flick's troops currently lead La Liga's table with 60 points. They are level with Real Madrid, albeit with a game in hand. Their next assignment will be the rescheduled league fixture against Osasuna on March 27, which was postponed after the tragic death of first-team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia.