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Sporting Gijón likely to sign Halilovic on loan

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Sporting Gijón likely to sign Halilovic on loan

Allen Halilovic is a talking point right now, as a rising star who’s expected to become one of the main men for Barcelona’s future XI.

Since the squad’s attacking midfield positions are full right now with the signings of Arda Turan in addition to incumbents like Rafinha, Roberto, Iniesta and Rakitic -- Halilovic is to be loaned out for this season to gain experience.

Many teams like Hamburg SV, Sporting Gijón, Celta Vigo, Everton, West Ham, Borussia Dortmund and FC Porto wanted the Croatian talent but Bundesliga club Hamburg SV came closest to signing Halilovic on loan. Words came from FC Barcelona sources that Halilovic himself preferred the German club, and the deal was almost done.

But the deal was called off later on as Hamburg SV declined to sign Halilovic, a complexity rooted in the terms set in his contract to guarantee him 60% of the games throughout the season. As Halilovic is considered a star for Barca’s future, Luis Enrique demands the 60% game-time clause in the loan contract to assure his development.

Barcelona’s coach Luis Enrique prefers Sporting Gijón to be Halilovic’s destination as the coach himself was once a player there, and because he has good relationship with the team’s current coach, Abelardo Fernández, who’s also a former FC Barcelona player and a former teammate of Luis Enrique.

Everything is clear between the two managers, and Sporting’s coach agrees to the terms set by Luis Enrique. He’s ready to give Halilovic the amount of game-time he needs to grow as a player.

Sporting is the main candidate right now to sign the player on loan, and their coach already had his conversation with Halilovic, explaining what he requires from him. Fernández said, "I talked with Halilovic to explain what I expect from him. We don't have anyone like him in our team, he’ll be an important part. He asked for a few days to think about our offer. We respect that. He has to decide what's best for him."

This deal looked to be done, but news broke out that Alen Halilovic’s father is trying to scupper the deal, by saying he wants his son to go to a team which will offer UEFA Championship football (i.e. Europa League - Champions League). But knowing how Halilovic will be nothing more than just a bench-warmer/replacement for a team like that, Luis Enrique may not allow his father’s wishes to be fulfilled for now. No other team are ready to accept the 60% game-time clause, only Sporting Gijón are, and that is what the coach wants.

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