Barcelona are allegedly in talks with Uruguayan club Liverpool Montevideo to sign midfielder Fabricio Diaz.
The Catalan giants are thought to have been keeping a close eye on the 20-year-old since his professional debut for Liverpool Montevideo in February 2020.
Diaz, a Primera Division academy product, has already established himself as a significant player, appearing in 116 games across all competitions, scoring five goals and providing seven assists.
The deep-lying midfielder captained Uruguay’s Under-20 team earlier this year in the South American Championship, making eight games as La Celeste finished second to Brazil.
Diaz is said to have piqued the curiosity of Flamengo and River Plate, both of which have identified him as a possible target.
However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have reached an arrangement with both Diaz’s representatives and Liverpool Montevideo.
According to the source, the midfielder’s agent, Martin Rodriguez Nader, travelled to Barcelona’s Ciutat Esportiva training centre to meet with Catalan club officials.
It is believed that Barcelona has agreed to purchase Diaz for €8 million and would initially incorporate him into the Barca Atletic team.
According to the article, Diaz’s transfer to Barcelona will be contingent on the La Liga leaders’ ability to avoid breaking Financial Fair Play standards despite their well-documented financial difficulties.
Barcelona manager Xavi is keen to strengthen his squad ahead of the 2023-24 season, targeting both ready-made players and future talents, but it remains to be seen whether they can afford to sign new players after La Liga chief Javier Tebas stated earlier this year that they must raise £177m before entering the market.
Vitor Roque, a Brazilian striker who plays for Athletico Paranaense and represented Brazil at the Under-20 South American Championship, is another highly-rated kid on Barcelona’s radar.
However, the Catalan club will most certainly face stiff competition for the 18-year-old’s signature from Premier League trio Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal.
Barcelona has also been connected with a number of senior players, including Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, and a move to re-sign famous forward Lionel Messi, whose contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires this summer.
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