Barcelona news: Wolves winger Adama Traore returns to Camp Nou on loan

Seb Sternik
29 January 2022

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Adama Traore during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley at Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton.

Barcelona have officially agreed a loan move for Wolverhampton winger Adama Traore, with an option to make the move permanent.

The 26-year-old, who was closely linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, will return to his boyhood club after spending seven years away in England.

Traore joined Barcelona's youth setup - La Masia - at the age of eight and progressed through the system before making his B-team debut in 2013.

Just two months later, the Spaniard made his first-team debut - replacing Neymar as a second half substitute in a La Liga match against Granada.

Unable to breakthrough into the first-team on a more regular basis, Traore headed for England where played for Aston Villa and Middlesbrough before joining Wolves in 2018.

His spell at Molineux lasted for 154 games across all competitions as became one of the club's main attacking assets, as well as a fan favourite.

Following Traore's move to Barcelona, Wanderers technical director Scott Sellars told the club website: "Adama has always acted with the utmost professionalism, however it is no secret that we have not been able to agree a new contract with him, despite protracted negotiations, and his desire at the moment is to play football elsewhere.

"Everyone knows Barcelona is a city, and club, very close to Adama's heart, so it is a dream move for him. We have also agreed a very healthy option in the deal should Barcelona wish to make the move permanent this summer.

"We wish Adama the best of luck in Spain, and hope that he plays regularly, has great success and shows everyone what he is capable of."

Returning home is always special.

💪 @AdamaTrd37's first day back pic.twitter.com/ZRRHdK37fJ
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 29, 2022

The loan deal with Barcelona lasts until June 30, 2022. What's more, the Catalonian outfit have an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season.

Traore spoke about the move with Barca TV and said: "I'm so happy to come back here, I think it's been a long time.

"For me it's a special moment because it's been many years I've been playing here. I grew up here in this town, I grew up here with my family, I grew up here with my friends.

"I'm very happy, it's a special moment. I would like to give back that happiness on the pitch and that's all."

Traore's first game could come next weekend as Barcelona face a massive home clash with top-four rivals Atletico Madrid.