Barcelona tracking Bangladeshi-origin teenage footballer Cavan Sullivan

Barcelona have always been active in hunting new talent in European football. This time the Spanish club's attention has fallen on Cavan Sullivan, a 17-year-old midfielder from the United States. Cavan is of Bangladeshi origin, which has made him a figure of special interest for football fans in Bangladesh.

Cavan is fundamentally a Manchester City footballer, but he is currently playing on loan for Major League Soccer club Philadelphia Union. Amid the uncertainty surrounding City's financial-rules case, Barcelona are exploring the possibility of bringing the talented youngster into their squad.

According to reports in the Spanish media, Barcelona's sporting department is regularly monitoring the young Philadelphia Union midfielder. If a new opportunity opens up regarding Sullivan's move to Europe, the club could consider signing him.

Cavan's family connection with Bangladesh runs deeper still. His two brothers, Declan and Ronan, have already played for Bangladesh's age-group teams, so the Sullivan family's relationship with Bangladeshi football is nothing new.

However, the calculation over Sullivan's future is not yet simple. He is understood to already have a preliminary agreement with Manchester City, which is due to take effect when he turns 18. Until now, the English club has therefore been in front as his next destination in European football.

But Manchester City's legal uncertainty is thought to be capable of affecting the club's long-term planning. That is why fresh discussion has begun over the destinations of young players who have future agreements with the club.

Reports of interest from several big European clubs in Sullivan had surfaced before. Alongside Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool and PSG were at one time reported to be interested in signing him. In the end, news of his preliminary agreement with Manchester City emerged.

Sullivan's representatives, too, have not completely closed the door on possibilities regarding his future. A few weeks ago his agent said it was hard to say in advance how the situation would develop.

The agent said: 'You can never say for sure what will happen. We hope they will resolve the matter in the best possible way.' But nothing in that statement gives a definite indication that Sullivan wants to walk away from his agreement with Manchester City.

Barcelona's interest in Sullivan fits the club's strategy of searching for young talent. Sporting director Deco and his team place importance on identifying promising youngsters and using the right opportunities as part of their long-term planning.

In the end, it remains to be seen which club Cavan Sullivan joins on his European journey. But football fans see a place on the watchlist of a club like Barcelona as major recognition of the talent of this Bangladeshi-origin teenager.