The youngster's passing ability and vision led to a drawn-out courtship from Camp Nou that finally ended on Monday with a deal worth €40m
How to replace a legend like Andres Iniesta? Barcelona had to solve that conundrum sooner rather than later, with the evergreen midfielder having taken the decision to move on from Camp Nou and continue the twilight years of his career in Japan with Vissel Kobe.
But while Iniesta was piecing together his future in the 2017-18 season, Barca were already looking to their own - and they may have just solved one of the most painful issues the club have had to face.