Barcelona have continued their attacking rebuild by signing 18-year-old Belgian winger Jesse Bisiwu from Club Brugge, with the highly rated forward agreeing a contract that runs until 2031.
The transfer is worth about €8.5m ($9.7m), according to Sports World Ghana, while Club Brugge will also receive 20% of any future transfer fee.
Bisiwu becomes Barcelona’s third signing of the summer, and all three arrivals are forwards. He follows Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon and Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi in joining the club as manager Hansi Flick reshapes his attacking options.
The teenager is expected to link up with Barcelona’s pre-season preparations in the coming days. However, his precise role for the season ahead has not yet been decided.
There is a possibility Bisiwu could make appearances for Barca Atletic, who compete in the fourth tier of Spanish football, as he adapts to life at the Catalan club.
His arrival is part of a wider overhaul of Barcelona’s forward line. Robert Lewandowski and Marcus Rashford have departed, while Roony Bardghji could also leave during the summer.
Ferran Torres’ future is uncertain as well. The Spain forward, who scored the winning goal in the World Cup final, has one year remaining on his contract and has not reached an agreement on a new deal with Barcelona.
The club’s recruitment of attacking players may not be finished. Sources told ESPN that Barcelona remain interested in signing a number nine to replace Lewandowski.
Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez is still their leading target. Their interest in Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi has cooled for the time being after the France forward underwent surgery on a foot injury.
Bisiwu joined Club Brugge’s academy before signing his first professional contract with the Belgian side at the age of 15. Although he is regarded as one of the club’s promising young players, he did not make a competitive appearance for the senior first team.
Instead, he played regularly for Club NXT in the Challenger Pro League. He was also involved in Club Brugge’s talented Under-19 team, which reached the final of the UEFA Youth League last season.
That campaign ended in defeat by Real Madrid in the final, but Bisiwu’s performances helped strengthen his reputation as a quick and skilful wide player.
Barcelona see the Belgian as another young attacking option during a period of significant change under Flick. His pace and ability to take on defenders have made him an attractive addition, although the club will decide whether he is ready for regular first-team involvement or would benefit from further development with the reserve side.
