Barcelona want to sign 16-year-old Brazilian prodigy targeted by Man United, Chelsea & Arsenal – report

Barcelona are indeed far from where they would have liked to be in their rebuild. Yet, one cannot deny that they boast one of Europe’s best young cores and appear set for the long term.

In Pedri, Gavi, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Lamine Yamal, Hector Fort, and Alejandro Balde, Barcelona have some of the world’s best young talents in their ranks.

The administration are far from done, however, and Fichajes report that Barcelona are now eyeing another Brazilian jewel who can be an asset in the long term – Estevao Willian.

‘Messinho’

The 16-year-old Palmeiras talent is largely considered to be the next big thing in Brazilian football after Real Madrid’s Endrick and Barcelona’s Vitor Roque and is a player for whom the sky is the limit.

Fondly nicknamed ‘Messinho’, it is quite clear that dribbling is his forte. As is the case with the Argentine talisman, Willian prefers playing down the right flank or in a central role dropping behind a centre-forward.

Fichajes adds that while Barcelona are determined to bring the player home, they will face stiff competition from Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and PSG for his signing.

They do, however, start with an advantage given that Messinho has his heart fixated on a move to Barcelona. The player has even spoken openly about the same, making his stance clear.

“To play for Barcelona, which is one of the best clubs in the world. I was born watching Neymar, Messi, and Suárez play for Barcelona and that’s the dream I have,” he said in a recent interview when asked about his biggest dream.

The financial question

Messinho’s desire to join Barcelona does indeed leave the Catalans in a good place in his race. However, his release clause at Palmeiras stands at €60 million, and the Brazilians are unwilling to budge.

Barcelona’s financial situation, thus, makes it complicated for the club to fulfil the protege’s dream, for the Blaugranas do not have as much leeway

Moreover, the management has other positions to prioritise should funds eventually arrive. Estevao’s position on the field also clashes with Lamine Yamal, La Masia’s prodigal talent.

Messinho cannot move to Europe until 2025 when he turns 18, and it remains to be seen if anything changes by then. As it stands, there is interest from Catalonia but not a whole lot of encouraging factors to push the deal through.