Barcelona are close to finalising a deal to sign Norwich City winger Ajay Tavares, an England youth international, according to sources who have confirmed the move to ESPN. The transfer would see one of Norwich’s most highly regarded young prospects move from English football to one of Europe’s most prestigious clubs.
Tavares has built a reputation within England’s youth setup for his pace, direct running, and willingness to take on defenders in wide areas. At Norwich, he has been viewed as a promising attacking talent capable of operating on either flank, contributing both as a creator and a goal threat. His performances at youth level have drawn increasing attention from scouts across Europe, with Barcelona emerging as the club pushing hardest to secure his signature.
For Barcelona, the move continues a long-standing strategy of identifying and recruiting talented teenagers from across Europe who can be developed within their system. The club’s academy and development teams place a strong emphasis on technical ability, positional understanding, and tactical intelligence, qualities that Tavares has shown in England’s youth ranks. Bringing in a young winger like Tavares aligns with a broader plan to refresh the squad with players who can grow into long-term contributors.
Norwich City, known for investing in youth development and giving opportunities to emerging players, face the departure of a player seen as having significant potential. While details of the agreement, including contract length or any transfer fee, have not been publicly disclosed, the move underlines how English academies continue to supply talent to top clubs across the continent.
For Tavares, a switch to Barcelona would represent a major step in his career, offering the chance to train and compete in an environment renowned for producing and refining elite attacking players. The transition from English football to Spain will present new challenges in style, tempo, and tactics, but also the opportunity to test himself against a different set of opponents and footballing cultures.
As final details are completed, both clubs are expected to focus on ensuring a smooth integration process for the teenager. That will likely include a period of adaptation within Barcelona’s structure, where young arrivals are often introduced gradually, whether through youth or reserve competition before being considered for regular first-team action. While timelines and specific plans for his immediate role have not been confirmed, the prospective move highlights Barcelona’s continued commitment to building for the future with emerging talent and reflects the growing international reputation of young English players like Tavares.
