Barcelona’s Pursuit of 17-Year-Old Brazilian Talent Reignited Amid Stalling Chelsea Negotiations
Barcelona’s pursuit of Brazilian prodigy Gabriel Moscardo may receive a glimmer of hope, as negotiations between Chelsea and Corinthians appear to have hit a roadblock.
The 17-year-old Brazilian sensation has been making waves this season, attracting the attention of scouts from various clubs while making limited appearances in Serie A for Corinthians. With just 11 appearances to his name, he has already earned the favor of Sporting Director Deco and seems to have secured a prominent role in the team, particularly in the pivotal midfield position.
Recent reports had suggested that Chelsea was actively engaged in talks with Corinthians regarding a potential transfer for Moscardo, and it appeared they were closing in on a deal. However, Sport now reports that discussions have cooled off in the past 24 hours, mainly due to Chelsea’s reluctance to meet Corinthians’ €30 million valuation. The latest offer from Chelsea included €21 million upfront and an additional €4 million in variables, but this offer has thus far been rejected by Corinthians.
This development has potentially reopened the door for Barcelona to enter the race for Moscardo. Notably, the young talent is currently a part of the Brazilian under-20 team, where he is playing alongside future Barcelona forward Vitor Roque.
However, Barcelona’s ability to compete with Chelsea in terms of the transfer fee remains uncertain. To secure Moscardo’s signature, Sporting Director Deco may need to employ a strategy similar to that used by Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff in the acquisition of Roque. This strategy involves convincing the player that Barcelona is the ideal destination, thereby buying time to negotiate a deal structure that aligns with the club’s financial capabilities. While it’s a challenging task, it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility for Barcelona, given their history of nurturing young talent and their reputation in the football world.
