LAFC, Barcelona near Mamadou Fall transfer
By Anthony Rotz
Barcelona go Hollywood once again.
LAFC and Barcelona are closing in on the transfer of center back Mamadou Fall for an undisclosed fee per The Athletic. Fall would be the second MLS defender to move to Barcelona this year joinng Julian Araújo who joined the Blaugrana from crosstown rival LA Galaxy.
Fall, 20, has experienced one of the most remarkable rises in world soccer, which has him on the verge of joining the Catalonian giants.
Born in Senegal, Fall arrived stateside in 2019 through Sport4Charity, an organization focused on broadening sporting opportunities for Senegalese children. Fall played for Montverde Academy, a private school renown for athletics, specifically basketball.
In 2021, LAFC noticed the 6’2 defender and signed him to a two-year deal. Quickly, Fall proved to be another astute acquisition from LAFC’s scouting department.
In his first year, Fall made 19 appearances for LAFC after a brief stint with USL Championship affiliate, Las Vegas Lights. The Senegalese youth international would make 19 more appearances before La Liga side Villarreal swooped in to take Fall on loan.
With Villarreal, Fall would spend the majority of his time with their B team in the Segunda División and only appearing once for the senior team.
Having returned earlier this summer, Fall has slotted back in with the Black and Gold but his stay looks to be short.
Villarreal were keen to bring the talented prospect back but it will be La Liga rivals Barcelona beating them to his signature.