Barcelona 'reach agreement in principle' to secure Munir El Haddadi's long-term future

Barcelona have reached an agreement in principle with Munir El Haddadi on the future of the academy starlet at the Nou Camp with a new four-year deal, according to Sport. The Spanish publication claims that the 20-year-old striker will be handed a lucrative pay-rise and that the final agreement is only pending a final meeting to close some minor terms like the release clause.

Munir enjoyed an impressive breakthrough into the Barcelona first-team during the first part of the last campaign. The academy starlet took advantage of Luis Suarez's ban to make a sensational debut with a goal against Elche in the opening La Liga game of the season and even earned a surprising call-up by Vicente Del Bosque to the Spanish national team squad.

Reports in Spain then claimed that the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea were closely monitoring his development as the striker was then still on a youth contract at the Catalan outfit. Barcelona quickly responded to those rumours and in December 2014 announced that the academy starlet had signed an updated contract with a new €35m (£27.7m, $39.9m) release clause.

Munir has continued his development this season with further 26 appearances for the first team, scoring eight goals, including five in five Copa del Rey games to help his side to reach the final against Sevilla on 22 May.

However, his future at the club appeared to be under renewed scrutiny in recent times after Barcelona have publicly admitted its intentions to sign a versatile forward to back-up the MSN trident formed by Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, with the likes of former Newcastle star Hatem Ben Arfa, Sevilla's striker Kevin Gameiro or Ligue 1 sensation Ousmane Dembele among the candidates.

But Sport claims that Luis Enrique also wants Munir to continue in the squad next season anyway, despite a number of clubs interested in securing his services either on loan or on a permanent basis.

Barcelona have advanced the negotiations in recent weeks to reward the player with a new long-term lucrative deal. Sport claims that the talks have been productive as both parties have already reached "an agreement in principle" for the striker to sign a new four-year deal.