Barcelona monitors six football gems ahead of swoop before Europe's giants

FC Barcelona is monitoring six young talents in the international transfer market as part of a strategy led by sporting director Deco and João Amaral, head of scouting, aimed at discovering promising players before their market values rise and major clubs enter a costly competition to sign them.

The Spanish newspaper "Sport" reported that the economic circumstances facing FC Barcelona have led the club to focus on talents who are still at the beginning of their professional careers, working to attract them early and develop them within the club's sports system, similar to the signings of Hamza Abdelkarim and Jesse Bisiwo.

Jay Gabriel.

English forward Jay Gabriel, aged 16, is among the names being tracked by FC Barcelona after he rejected his first professional contract with Manchester United. The player is attracting interest from FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain, while United are keen to retain their talent.

The estimated cost of the transfer could reach at least ten million euros, including salary, commissions, and compensation linked to a contract lasting three seasons. While the player's entourage welcomes the idea of a move to Spain, he has not yet decided between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Josh King

Josh King, the 19-year-old playmaker, is among the talents being monitored by FC Barcelona, having showcased his abilities with Fulham's first team, scoring two goals in his first five matches this season, while also participating for over 400 minutes.

The English player's contract with Fulham runs until 2029, and the club has no intention of making his exit easy, given the interest from Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, and Atlético for his services.

Arthur De Moura

Brazilian defender Arthur de Moura, aged 19, is one of the names receiving positive evaluations from Barcelona scouts. The player, who stands 1.88 meters tall, is known for his left foot and ability to play in the center-back positions, and he captained the Brazil national team in the 2025 South American U-20 Championship.

Young defender Hamza Abdelkarim's status has risen to the point where he was called up by coach Carlo Ancelotti to the Brazil national team during the recent international break, participating in friendly matches against Australia and India. João Amaral is closely monitoring his development, given the positive reports the club has about him.

Eduardo Coudet

16-year-old Brazilian forward Eduardo Concesão has caught the attention of FC Barcelona due to his performances with the youth teams of Palmeiras, showcasing his ability to play as a left winger, an attacking midfielder, or a forward.

Barcelona has contacted the player's surroundings to explore the possibility of signing him, but English competition and high financial demands have complicated negotiations, especially since the deal could require tens of millions of euros. The Catalan club decided to step back from negotiations at an earlier stage, but they are still monitoring the development of the player, who is considered one of the most promising rising talents from Brazil.

Gabriel Raikovic.

15-year-old Norwegian forward Gabriel Raikovic is among the talents being monitored by FC Barcelona after featuring in several matches with the first team of Valerenga, despite his young age.

Barcelona scouts watched the player live during a match against Bodø/Glimt, where he became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Norwegian league at the age of 15 years, five months, and 15 days. His performance has also attracted the interest of major English clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United.

Kavan Sullivan.

The sixth name is American Kavan Sullivan, a playmaker for Philadelphia, who has enhanced his reputation during the international break after becoming the youngest player to score a goal in the history of the United States national team at the age of 17.

Sullivan has posted impressive numbers in the MLS this season, scoring seven goals and providing 12 assists, making him a target for several European clubs, including FC Barcelona. However, the Catalan club's task appears complicated due to an agreement reached by Manchester City with Philadelphia in 2024, which stipulates that the player will join the English club when he turns 18, on September 28, 2027.

A long-term strategy.

These names reflect FC Barcelona's approach to discovering talent before the costs of signing them become high, with varying opportunities for the club in each case, between players still under observation and others whose futures are surrounded by strong competition or previous agreements with other clubs.

The plan of Deco and João Amaral focuses on identifying players that fit the club's sporting project rather than signing every emerging talent. They take into account financial capabilities and development opportunities, aiming to outpace competitors before these talents turn into expensive transfers.