Free Agent Gai Assulin
September 30th 2010 07:12
Link: twitter.com/mattsaltmer
Usually if a player graduated through Barcelona's academy, and is given a professional contract by the age of 16, you know he has a huge future. And it seemed this was the case once again, for the man dubbed 'the new Messi', Gai Assulin. The Israeli youngster was snapped up by Barcelona at the age of 12, and upon turning 16, signed professional terms, with a £20 million release clause.
Such was the potential of the teenager, there was often talk of teams matching this huge fee to trigger the clause, and sign him. The likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Arsenal and AC Milan, were all credited to be interested. At still just 16, he made his first team debut for Barcelona in the Copa del Rey (domestic cup competition) as a substitute against Girona. That season, he also made his first, and at the moment only, appearance for Israel, making him the youngest player to ever represent his country.
2008 brought a disappointing injury, which saw Assulin miss most of the season. Expected to break into the Barca first team in the last couple of season's, this injury has lead to his career stalling. This lead, to at the end of last season, Assulin leaving Barcelona via mutual consent, to seek first team football else where. So now, the once most exciting prospect in world football, is a free agent. Who is willing to take a chance?
Well, not surprisingly, money-bags Manchester City have the funds to afford a risk or two. The young winger, still only 19, has reportedly been training with the Lancashire club, and after three months without a club, could be set to sign. Real Madrid are still said to be interested, but it remains to be seen if he would sign for his former employers rivals. But one thing if for sure, whoever does sign Gai Assulin, has got an incredible bargain. If he could get himself to the standard expected of him by now, barring his injuries, he could be one of the greatest free signings of all time!
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