Barcelona has been busy on the transfer market in recent weeks and they are about to make Lovro Chelfi their second signing of the summer. The 18-year-old comes from NK Kustosija in the near future, with the La Liga champions reaching an agreement with the Croatian side.
According to the sport, Barcelona pays € 500k for 50% of Chelfi's rights, and as part of the agreement they have the option to buy the remaining 50% in the coming years. In total, the operation can reach € 2 million.
Upon arrival, it is expected that Chelfi will join Julian's Barca Atleti side, which will play in the second federation – fourth level of Spanish football – next season. However, he could get the chance to impress Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick in this summer, he was allowed to be taken on the club's tour through Asia.
Barcelona has effectively closed the signing of Chelfi, as reported by MD. But although he is considered one of the pearl of Croatian football, little is known about him outside his native country.
Chelfi was born on January 30, 2007 and started in football with Croatian Giants Dinamo Zagreb. He impressed during his time there, but 18 months ago he was sold to NK Kustosija on a free transfer. And it is at this time that he came to Barcelona's radar.
Chelfi is an attacking midfielder, at 1.72 m. He is classified as a playmaker with very good ball control, and although he is excellent in retaining the ball with his close dribbling, he is considered a strong team player who likes to connect with teammates. He is strong with both foot and has a good shooting capacity – especially from outside the penalty area. And he is also skilled on set pieces.
It will be interesting to see how Chelfi goes. He will effectively replace Noah Darvich in the Barca Atletic, which was also greatly appreciated on arrival in Barcelona, but his enchantment in the club ended up in disappointment earlier this summer when he came to Stuttgart.