Barcelona have decided to reward one of their brightest young prospects, with reports indicating the club is set to promote Xavi Espart to the first-team squad for the 2026-27 season and hand him a new squad number.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Espart will be given the No. 12 shirt once his promotion is officially confirmed. The versatile youngster wore the No. 36 during Barcelona's season-opening 5-0 victory over Elche, where he started at left-back.

The promotion is a deserved reward for the teenager, who has shone throughout pre-season and earned a starting berth in Barcelona's opening league fixture of the campaign. Espart is still only 19 but has already demonstrated his considerable versatility for the club, featuring in both defence and midfield.

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick is clearly a big admirer of Espart, having previously compared him to Germany and Bayern Munich legend Philipp Lahm. Flick was full of freshness praise for the young star after the Elche triumph.

"He can play on the right, on the left. He knows what he has to do and is fantastic on the ball; he does everything well," Flick said.

With his versatility across multiple positions and a clear vote of confidence from the coaching staff, the expectation is that Espart will see plenty more first-team opportunities in the campaign ahead.