Ernesto Valverde is turning to Barcelona‘s famed La Masia academy to strengthen his first-team at left-back after Lucas Digne’s transfer to Everton, according to Marca.

18-year-old Juan Miranda, who has been on the fringes of the first team, is now being eyed as the first-choice deputy to Jordi Alba.

While Alba enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career in 2017-18, getting three goals and 11 assists across all competitions, Digne’s departure means there’s no cover for the Spaniard, or anyone to challenge him and push him further.

Miranda and fellow academy product Marc Cucurella were the two main contenders once sporting director Eric Abidal reportedly told Valverde that left-back was not a position for which the club would release funds.

Cucurella is likely to go out on loan, but Miranda is being trusted with a first-team promotion, having impressed during the pre-season, though he’s made only a handful of appearances for Barcelona B.

The decline of La Masia has been a criticism of Barcelona in recent years, with few players having stepped up from the academy since the generation of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, and Gerard Pique all progressed into the first team.