Realistic Expectations for Barcelona's Sergi Samper in the 2015/16 Season

Sergi Samper, for all of the hype surrounding the one Barcelona player to have played at every level of La Masia before reaching the senior side, is at something of a career crossroads.

The 20-year-old has had a decent pre-season so far, including an assured performance against Los Angeles Galaxy. In truth, he couldn't really have done any more to force his way into manager Luis Enrique's thoughts.

Questions remain, however, as to whether there is a space for him in the Barca midfield at this juncture.

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

A player who can combine all of the best elements of his contemporaries, he'd likely be a shoo-in at any other club, and to that end, Arsenal are monitoring developments, according to Adam Shergold of the Daily Mail.

If they're given any encouragement whatsoever, spending just £8.5 million to activate Samper's buyout clause is a no-brainer.

It may not be forthcoming in this window, however, with the player recently stating, per Sport:

"

I know that it will be difficult, but I will try to do my best in pre-season. 

I'm excited and really motivated to prove that I am ready, that I am prepared. I have the best players in my position, but I am prepared [for the challenge]. 

Barca are the club of my life and if I can, I would like to stay here forever.

"

Such a stance is admirable, but can Samper genuinely expect to get more first-team minutes this season than he has before?

Realistically, unless the Catalans are beset by injuries in midfield, then the chances are Samper will stay as a reserve or perhaps spend much of his 2015/16 sat on the bench.

Barcelona's official squad page doesn't identify the youngster as part of the first-team squad for the forthcoming season, so sporadic substitute appearances again would therefore seem likely.

However, anyone who has followed the player's progress over the last 12 to 24 months can see that a permanent promotion from Barca B is essential to aid his future development, for he is far too good for the reserves.

Their recent relegation to the Segunda Division B has left the futures of a number of players in the balance, and Samper conceivably falls into that bracket.

The issue remains as to just how much Luis Enrique trusts him.

"

Barcelona youngster Sergi Samper making pre-season look like a doddle. pic.twitter.com/8tEQDlXFaR

— Football Vines (@FootballVines) July 17, 2015"

With Rafinha and Sergi Roberto also vying for slots in a midfield that includes Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets, Lucho has a wealth of options at his disposal. Throw Alen Halilovic and Arda Turan into the mix and the extent of the problem becomes clear.

The Croatian may be on his way to West Ham United, per the Express (h/t Tom Conn of Inside Spanish Football), but to state the obvious, seven into three still doesn't go.

For all of his talent and potential, Samper evidently hasn't done quite enough at this stage to convince Enrique and his technical team about his regular suitability in this side. 

"

Sergi Samper, a grande promessa da base do Barcelona https://t.co/BsmdqxoQxB

— Futmais (@futmais) July 22, 2015"

This precise situation brings into sharper focus the wider issues facing the club pertaining to the youngsters at La Masia and has echoes of the Thiago Alcantara fiasco.

Rafinha's elder sibling, one of the best to roll off of the Catalan production line recently, couldn't force his way into the team during his breakthrough years yet has flourished and made his name at Bayern Munich.

Should we get to January and the status quo has remained the same, there's every likelihood another of Barca's sons will have to seek his fortune elsewhere.