Barcelona head coach Xavi has said that Mikayil Faye "is ready" to make his first-team debut, hinting at a possible involvement against Cadiz on Saturday.
The 19-year-old made the move to Camp Nou last summer from Croatian outfit NK Kustosija, and he has featured on 26 occasions for Barcelona B this season, scoring four times in the process.
Faye is yet to feature at first-team level for the La Liga champions, but he has been on the bench for two of their last three league matches, suggesting that a senior outing is not too far away.
Xavi has said that the Senegal international is in his thoughts amid suggestions that Manchester United are keen to secure his services during this summer's transfer window.
"Yes, he is ready. Faye, [Marc] Casado and more players who can participate. But I see him ready to play for us," the Barcelona boss told reporters during his press conference on Friday.
Man United continue to be linked with Faye
Faye penned a four-year contract with Barcelona upon his arrival, but it is believed that the Catalan outfit would be willing to sell him this summer due to their financial issues.
A recent report claimed that the teenager could be available for between €15m (£12.9m) and €20m (£17.1m) during this summer's transfer window, with Man United scouting him heavily in recent weeks.
Arsenal are also believed to be keeping a close eye on his progress, with a move to the Premier League thought to be a possibility ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
Barcelona will enter Saturday's clash with Cadiz off the back of a 3-2 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday night.
The Catalan side could be 11 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid by the time that they take to the field this weekend, but Xavi has insisted that the team's current focus is on the league and not the second leg of their European clash with PSG next week.
Xavi insists Barcelona will not switch their focus away from La Liga
"It's vital for us: La Liga could be over if we don't win. We have to be very committed so that we don't throw in the towel. If we fail to win the Clasico it will be of little use. It's a key day," he told reporters.
"We'll put together a team to win: we have to put the Champions League to one side and focus on La Liga.
"It's important to win to have chances in La Liga. To have a chance of getting within five points of Madrid if we win the Clasico. But if we don't manage it, we'd almost be saying goodbye to La Liga.
"In the same way that when there is criticism we have to pull up, so now we have to pull down a little bit. I said that the word was illusion but we are in the same situation as before the Paris game.
"We are not qualified. But I understand the euphoria: it's better to live like that than with pessimism."
Barcelona are currently on a 12-game unbeaten run in all competitions, with their last loss coming at home to Villarreal in Spain's top flight at the end of January. body check tags ::
