Barcelona have reportedly paid a million euros to agree a future deal worth €4.5 million to land Sao Paulo wonderkid Gustavo Maia.
According to Spanish publication Sport, Barcelona have landed the option to buy another Brazilian wonderkid, Gustavo Maia. The La Liga giants have paid Sao Paulo €1 million upfront for the wonderkid, with the entire deal set to cost the club a total of €4.5 million.
The report states that the million euros upfront reserves Barcelona the right to buy Maia from Sao Paulo for an additional €3.5 million until June 30. If Barcelona fail to or choose not to exercise the right, it will lapse and Sao Paulo will not be obligated to return the million euros.
Sao Paulo will also reserve 30% of the economic rights directly related to Gustavo Maia, who is regarded as one of the brightest young gems in Brazil. Maia gained further recognition during the 2019 Sao Paulo Juniors Cup, wherein he scored three times in seven games and was one of the most exciting players to watch.
El Barça se va a gastar otros 5 millones por un brasileño, esta vez Gustavo Maia. Pero oye, luego no nos podemos gastar un millón para traer de vuelta a Take Kubo… pic.twitter.com/f2UAcA2Btq
— NACHO JP. (@jpaaace) March 19, 2020
While Maia has been called up to the senior team, he is yet to make his first-team debut for Sao Paulo. The 19-year-old is a pacy forward with the ability to play all across the three forward positions. While Maia is right-footed, he is known to be an ambidextrous finisher in front of the goal.
Barcelona have made such agreements in the past as well for young Brazilian gems and seems to have taken a liking to Maia after scouting the player for over two years.
Sao Paulo executive manager Alexandre Passaro confirmed in an exclusive interview to ESPN Brazil that they have indeed entered into an agreement with Barcelona regarding Maia for an initial €1 million, which enables Barcelona to buy the 19-year-old for a total of €4.5 million up until June 30.
Maia currently has a contract with Sao Paulo till 2022 and will be eager to take his senior bow soon under coach Fernando Diniz. Barcelona will be keeping a keen eye on how Maia develops and will likely decide whether to exercise the option or not depending on how he develops in the coming months.
