Barcelona Consider Transfer Bid for Villarreal Striker With Bargain Release Clause

Etta Eyong’s Rising Stardom Puts Barcelona & Real Betis on Alert

Every transfer window has its own surprise storyline. Sometimes it’s a superstar chasing one last big move, other times it’s a forgotten veteran rediscovering relevance. And then, every so often, it’s about a teenager who suddenly emerges from the shadows to capture the imagination of Europe’s biggest clubs.

This summer, that storyline belongs to Etta Eyong, Villarreal’s teenage striker whose €10 million release clause has sparked interest from both Barcelona and Real Betis.

The 19-year-old forward has started the 2025-26 season in electrifying fashion, scoring and assisting in Villarreal’s opening La Liga fixtures. With his reputation on the rise and the possibility of limited minutes should Villarreal complete a deal for Roma’s Artem Dovbyk, Eyong finds himself at the heart of one of the most intriguing subplots of the Spanish summer.

What Happened?

According to Mundo Deportivo, Eyong’s relatively modest release clause makes him a bargain in today’s market, where even promising teenagers can be priced at astronomical sums. Barcelona, ever alert to opportunities in the youth market, are considering triggering that clause.

The Catalan giants face significant hurdles, though. Their well-documented registration struggles mean that signing Eyong may not be as simple as paying the fee. With players like Roony Bardghji potentially needing to return on loan to Copenhagen, and the registration of Gerard Martin still unresolved, Barcelona may need to be creative if they are to bring Eyong to Camp Nou this summer.

Real Betis, meanwhile, see Eyong as a potential coup. The Andalusian side have developed a reputation for giving young players minutes and could offer the striker a clearer path to regular first-team football.

Villarreal CF v Girona FC – LaLiga EA Sports

The Bigger Picture: Why Eyong Fits Barcelona’s Model

Barcelona’s interest in Eyong is not just about his statistics. The striker represents exactly the kind of signing that aligns with La Masia’s tradition of developing young talent.

Though not a Barcelona academy graduate, Eyong embodies the traits the club often looks for in young forwards: technical ability, composure in front of goal, and a willingness to press from the front. His 19 goals and six assists for Villarreal B in the Primera Federación last season showcased his natural finishing instincts, while his early La Liga performances suggest he can handle the jump to top-flight football.

But there is also a pragmatic side to this potential move. At €10 million, Eyong represents value for money in a market where Barcelona have little room to manoeuvre financially. Even if he doesn’t immediately break into Xavi Hernández’s first team, the club could sign him and send him out on loan, allowing him to continue his development while retaining long-term control over his future.

Did You Know?

• Etta Eyong has already scored and assisted in his first two La Liga matches this season, making him one of the brightest young performers in Spain’s top flight.

• Villarreal are weighing up the signing of Artem Dovbyk from Roma, a move that could push Eyong down the pecking order.

• Barcelona’s registration issues this summer have forced them into difficult decisions: Joan Garcia and Marcus Rashford are now registered, while Wojciech Szczesny is set to be added with Iñaki Peña going out on loan.

• Should Barcelona struggle to register Eyong, a loan-back option to Villarreal or another La Liga side could be considered.

Real Betis in the Mix

While Barcelona’s financial puzzle complicates things, Real Betis might see this as their moment to pounce. Betis have consistently built squads mixing experienced heads with exciting young talents, and their fanbase appreciates players who bring both hunger and flair.

For Eyong, Betis could offer something Barcelona cannot immediately guarantee: minutes on the pitch. With Borja Iglesias ageing and other forward options inconsistent, Eyong could realistically become a regular starter at the Benito Villamarín. That promise of regular football might be decisive in his development.

Still, the lure of Barcelona—one of the biggest clubs in the world, with a tradition of nurturing attacking talent—will be difficult to resist.

Barcelona’s Registration Struggles

Any discussion of a potential move must include Barcelona’s ongoing battle with La Liga’s financial rules. Since the start of the summer window, the club has operated under intense scrutiny, with every incoming and outgoing deal meticulously planned.

• Joan Garcia and Marcus Rashford have been added to the roster.

• Wojciech Szczesny is set to replace Iñaki Peña as backup goalkeeper.

• Roony Bardghji, one of the summer’s most exciting signings, could even return to Copenhagen on loan if registration space is not freed.

Against this backdrop, the signing of Eyong looks complicated but not impossible. Barcelona might structure the deal in a way that delays his official arrival until January or even the summer of 2026.

Eyong’s Style of Play

For those unfamiliar with him, Eyong is not just another teenage forward riding a wave of hype. He is:

• Two-footed and comfortable finishing with either foot.

• Strong in link-up play, often dropping deeper to connect with midfielders.

• A natural penalty-box predator, showing a knack for being in the right place at the right time.

• Hard-working off the ball, pressing defenders aggressively—something that would appeal to both Barcelona and Betis.

At just 19, his game is still raw, but coaches at Villarreal rave about his mentality and willingness to learn. Those traits could make him a standout in the years ahead.

What Next for Barcelona and Eyong?

Lamine Yamal

For now, Eyong’s immediate priority is simple: minutes on the pitch. With Villarreal off to a strong start in La Liga, his contribution could become vital if the Dovbyk deal stalls. But if Dovbyk arrives, Eyong may find himself watching from the bench—a dangerous scenario for a young player at such a key stage of his development.

Barcelona will continue to weigh their options, balancing financial restrictions with the temptation of securing one of Spain’s brightest young forwards. Real Betis remain in the hunt too, ready to offer Eyong the stage to grow at their club.

Final Thoughts

Football is full of what-ifs, especially when it comes to young talents. For Etta Eyong, this summer could represent the turning point in a career that has only just begun.

Does he stay at Villarreal, fight for his place, and continue developing in familiar surroundings?
Does he join Barcelona, taking the gamble that patience and loans will eventually lead him to the Camp Nou spotlight?
Or does he pick Betis, where the promise of immediate playing time could accelerate his rise?

What is clear is that Eyong is no longer just a name on a team sheet for Villarreal B. He’s a forward attracting serious attention at the very top of Spanish football. With a release clause that makes him one of the bargains of the summer, his future is now one of the most fascinating storylines to follow.

Whether it’s in Barcelona’s famed blaugrana, Betis’ green and white, or Villarreal’s bright yellow, the next chapter of Eyong’s story promises to be one worth watching.