You would never have known that Barcelona were in the middle of a transfer ban, considering the excellent business that they have already done this summer.
Aleix Vidal looks like a decent prospect and we all know about the quality of Arda Turan.
And reports today suggest that there next piece of unofficial summer business is close as they track another brilliant Brazilian. Spanish media outlet, Sport, reports (via Sky):
Barcelona are closing in on the signing of Fluminense starlet Gerson after the player rejected the chance to join Roma, according to Sport.
The 18-year-old is one of the hottest young talents in Brazilian football and several big European sides have shown an interest in him.
The report suggests that Barcelona had an agreement in place to get first refusal on the player. But Roma came in with an official 15m Euro bid and that has forced the hand of the Catalans.
Gerson’s father and agent informed Fluminense that they wanted to reject the Roma bid as his son has his heart set on Barcelona.
The report concludes that Barcelona will pay a further 12m Euros in order to complete the deal over the next few days.
The 18 year old attacking midfielder has played 12 times for Fluminense and we expect him to stay at his club for some time after the deal is struck, in order to continue his development.
Either that or he will be loaned out to another European club as his quest for experience continues.
Let’s have a look at him in action.
Barcelona fans: a future star of the midfield?
