Barcelona not considering move for €60 million Brazilian prodigy because of Lamine Yamal

Estevao Willian, famously known as ‘Messinho’, is widely regarded as the next big thing coming through in Brazil, and a host of top clubs, including FC Barcelona, are said to be interested.

The 16-year-old wonderkid has been making waves in youth football with Palmeiras and Brazil and has broken into his boyhood club’s senior setup as well, making five appearances.

Estevao has already declared his desire to play for Barcelona and it was reported last week that the Catalans were making good progress in laying down the groundwork to sign him in the future.

Barcelona not considering move for Estevao

However, SPORT’s Albert Masnou reports that Barcelona are not considering making a move for Estevao at this point because of a certain Lamine Yamal.

The Blaugrana sporting management, with the support of the administration, will not make any decision that will affect Yamal’s progress in his maturing process in the slightest.

The present and future of Barcelona. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

The project for the future will be built around Lamine as per the club, with there being grand plans for the 16-year-old sensation.

A direct consequence of this is Barça’s inaction in relation to Estevao. The club has not made a move for the Brazilian jewel, not because of the money but because he is the same age and occupies the same position as Lamine.

Moreover, Palmeiras president Leila Pereira, who has just cashed in on Endrick to Real Madrid, is not sitting down to negotiate with anyone.

To all those interested in Estevao, the Palmeiras chief refers them to the 16-year-old’s termination clause, which is €60 million.

The Catalans do not want to spend €60 million on a player who would occupy the same role as Yamal and only arrive in 2025 and instead put those funds to better use and strengthen other positions.