BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona says it has agreed to loan forward Gerard Deulofeu to Sevilla for this season.
Barcelona says it is "an operation designed to maximize his participation and optimize his progression as a player."
The 20-year-old Deulofeu is considered to be one of the most promising young talents to recently emerge from Barcelona’s "La Masia" football academy.
Last season Deulofeu was loaned out to Everton.
He was expected to form part of Barcelona’s first team this season, but it appears new coach Luis Enrique believes his chances of playing were minimal in an attack already featuring Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.
Deulofeu is the second Barcelona player to be loaned to Sevilla this season, along with former Manchester City prospect Denis Suarez.