Barcelona are reportedly set to exercise their right to sign Marlon Santos, who is currently on loan from Fluminese, on a permanent basis.
Spanish publication Sport have ran an exclusive that Barcelona are set to exercise their option to sign Marlon Santos on a permanent deal. The player, who is currently on loan from Fluminese for the the entirety of the 2016-17 season, has impressed the hierarchy at Barcelona, who are now prepared to make the deal permanent.
The exclusive entails that if Barcelona move to make the deal permanent before Marlon Santos plays five games for the senior team, the Blaugranes would be able to save €2m in transfer fees with the clause fixed at €6m at the present moment.
In fact, Barcelona would be obliged to pay just €2m in order to acquire Marlon Santos permanently with Fluminese still owing the Catalan outfit €4m from the time Barcelona acquired preferential rights on three of their players – Kenedy, Gerson and Marlon Santos – with Kenedy and Gerson moving to Chelsea and Roma respectively.
Marlon Santos arrived during the summer transfer window and slotted in perfectly at the back in Barcelona’s B team, playing 4 league matches for the club.
The 21-year-old also impressed in Barcelona’s Spanish Super Cup defeat to Espanyol and is reportedly entered the good books of manager Luis Enrique and coach Gerard Lopez, who appeared to have recommended the club to sign the player on a permanent basis.
With injuries to Gerard Pique and Jeremy Mathieu, the Brazilian might get a look in into the first-team setup and make his senior league debut for Barcelona and the Blaugranes are hoping to get the deal wrapped up before he reaches the five-appearances milestone, which would increase their obligation by a further €2m.
Barcelona have had a fabled history of buying young players from Brazil, who have later on gone to become global superstars, the latest one being the world sensation that is Neymar.
And, even though, it would be unjust to ask for a similar return from Marlon Santos, early glimpses of the 21-year-old is a testament of his potential and there is a general consensus that Barcelona have another gem, albeit a bit unpolished, on their hands.
