Joan Roman

[BlueinBosnia]

Has tweeted this evening that his agent is carrying out negotiations and he hopes to have info soon. Looks like the story was true and he's off to Barca. I was surprised to hear he was 19, I thought he was only 16/17. Be a shame if he does leave was looking forward to seeing if he'd break through in the next few years.

The only reasons I can think of as to why he wants to leave are a) he's homesick b) he hasn't had many first team opportunities with us. If it is the former then fair enough but if it is the latter then how is he going to get into Barça's first XI if he can't get into ours?

It's a shame if he's leaving as I had high hopes for him

Signed 3 year deal with Barca B

This is another reason I was going to point out. The potential to play league football for a reserve team, thus gaining more attention from other clubs, while at the same time being slowly introduced to the club's ethos, setup and squad.

[Moonchesteri]

Good luck Joan! I guess he saw he fell behind Suarez in the pecking order and felt his chances here are limited.. Can't blame him

[ross.mcfc]

Good move for the kid and good luck to him. I am not sure he would have got a chance here.

Barca and the other top Spanish clubs have a massive advantage when it comes bringing through players at his age by having B teams in the league system.

At City he isnt good enough to play in the first team, yet. He can play in the reserves in front of one man and a dog or go out on loan to a club with inferior facilities and coaches. How many players are wonderkids at under 21 level but go onto have careers that can best be described as average.

Surely a day must come when English clubs do the same. Have the EPL and a smaller championship and League 1. The later two league have far to many games as it is. Then have a north and south type League 2 including the big sides with B sides that can get no further than league 1. I am sure Bury and the likes would prefer to be playing City B than traveling down to Plymouth.