Barcelona summer arrival ruled out of Elche clash due to registration issue – report

Barcelona summer arrival ruled out of Elche clash due to registration issue – report

Barcelona have made as many as five signings so far this summer, but one name that is flying under the radar is Jesse Bisiwu.

The Belgian starlet was signed from Club Brugge as a developmental bet, and he has gone on to make an impression, scoring twice for Hansi Flick’s team against FC Basel.

Now, according to SPORT, the 18-year-old will have to wait to make his La Liga bow for Barcelona, with a registration issue ruling him out of the upcoming clash against Elche.

The teenager cannot be registered in time for the game at the Martinez Valero because of a bureaucratic matter, despite Hansi Flick considering including him in the squad.

Bisiwu misses out for administrative reasons

Importantly, Barcelona do not consider the situation particularly concerning.

The problem is expected to be resolved soon, after which Bisiwu should once again be available to Flick.

Bisiwu’s official debut will have to wait. (Photo courtesy: FC Barcelona official website)

In the meantime, the Belgian youngster trained with Barça Atletic on Saturday rather than the first team.

Orian Goren and Ebrima Tunkara were also involved with Juliano Belletti’s side and are expected to miss the Elche trip.

Flick had plans for Bisiwu

The timing is slightly frustrating because Flick had been considering Bisiwu as a potential second-half option against Elche.

The winger has made an encouraging impression during pre-season and strengthened his case with an eye-catching brace in Basel.

Those performances have shown why Barcelona were willing to invest €8.5 million in a player who is still only 18.

There is rawness to his game, as would be expected at his age, but his ability to attack defenders and make things happen in the final third gives Flick a different option from the bench.

Jesse Bisiwu has impressed in pre-season. (Picture credit: x/@FCBarcelona)

Barcelona have a clear plan for the youngster

Bisiwu will be registered with Barça Atletic this season, but the intention is for him to remain closely connected to Flick’s first team.

That arrangement should give Barcelona useful flexibility. If first-team opportunities are limited, Bisiwu can continue collecting competitive minutes with the reserves rather than spending important months sitting on the bench.

There has already been outside interest, including from Olympiacos, but Barcelona have no intention of sending him on loan.

Barcelona clearly believe Bisiwu’s development is best served by keeping him close to Flick, and his pre-season performances have done little to weaken that conviction.

His La Liga debut may not happen against Elche, but it will not be long before Flick gives him an opportunity, and it remains to be seen how involved he is in the first team this campaign.