Hiroki Abe 'keen to secure move away from Barcelona'

Hiroki Abe is reportedly looking for a way out of Barcelona, having failed to make the breakthrough into the first team at Camp Nou since arriving from Kashima Antlers in 2019.

The 22-year-old penned a four-year contract with the Catalan giants ahead of the 2019-20 campaign, but he has struggled with a number of injury problems during his time at the club.

Abe is yet to make his first-team debut for Barcelona but has featured on 28 occasions for the club's B side, scoring four times in the process.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Japan international is not content with his situation in Spain and wants to seek a move away in search of regular action.

The report claims that Abe could be open to a return to Japan, but a number of European clubs are thought to be keeping a close eye on developments.

The attacker scored 10 times and contributed seven assists in 79 appearances for Kashima Antlers.