Barcelona director meets with 16-year-old defensive prodigy’s entourage

FC Barcelona continue to scour the market for young players who can benefit the club in the near future and one of the names at the top of the list is Belgian centre-back Jorthy Mokio.

Indeed, reports emerged last month claiming that Barcelona had emerged as contenders to sign the 16-year-old centre-back, who plies his trade with KAA Gent in Belgium.

And now, there appears to have been a major development in the Catalan heavyweights’ pursuit of the teenage defender.

Deco meets with Mokio’s entourage

Indeed, Mundo Deportivo reports that Barcelona sporting director Deco met with Jorthy Mokio’s entourage this past Saturday at Estadi Johan Cruyff.

The 16-year-old centre-half’s family and the player’s agents, Sam Carrillo and Paolo Schiavone, are understood to have met with the Catalans’ transfer chief in order to further advance the potential deal.

Barça hold Mokio in high regard and consider him to be a player of the present and future.

On Barcelona’s agenda. (Photo by JASPER JACOBS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

They hope to repeat a similar formula to that of Mikayil Faye, who joined last summer, has played in the reserve team this season and could make the leap to the first team next campaign.

However, it must be noted that the left-footed centre-back has other proposals from powerful teams in Europe that are also better financially than the Blaugrana’s, meaning there remains a possibility that Barcelona miss out on him.

A bright prospect

Despite being only 16 years old, Mokio has already broken into the first-team setup at Gent this season.

The teenage defensive prodigy has already made four appearances for the first team and has been earning praise for his good performances.

So, it is only natural that Barcelona and other top clubs across Europe have taken note of his potential. Now, with a meeting taking place with Deco, only time will tell if the Catalans close the deal or not.