La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are still interested in signing 18-year-old Brazilian wonderkid Kaiky Fernandes from Santos.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Kaiky Fernandes is the subject of interest from Barcelona over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The Catalan giants reserve the option to buy the 18-year-old Santos FC wonderkid for €20 million.
Kaiky Fernandes is widely regarded as one of the most promising young defenders in Brazil, with the teenage prodigy already a regular member of the Santos FC first team. The Brazilian prospect made his first-team bow for Peixe only a few months after signing a professional deal at the club. And he enjoyed a solid debut campaign, turning out nearly 40 times for Santos.
The 18-year-old has started the 2022 season reasonably well, featuring 11 times for Santos while also scoring one goal. Kaiky recently signed a new contract that will keep him at the Brazilian club until December 2026. Meanwhile, the Brazilian wonderkid’s exploits have captured the attention of Barcelona.
The Catalan giants have garnered the reputation for being ardent scouts of the brightest young prospects across the world, also foraying into the Brazilian market successfully over the years. Most recently, Barcelona’s focus has been on strengthening the Spanish core in the first-team setup, with Pedri, Gavi and Nico Gonzalez establishing a foothold in Xavi Hernandez’s squad at Camp Nou.
But Barcelona’s forays into South America have also yielded them their most reliable defender in Ronald Araujo. The Uruguayan international recently reportedly committed his long-term future to FC Barcelona, and he could have another South American defender alongside him at the heart of the defence.
While Kaiky will likely join Barcelona B upon moving to the Catalan club, he could become a pivotal member of the first-team squad quickly if he continues his progress, just like Gavi and Nico have this term. And with several Barcelona defenders facing uncertain futures at Camp Nou, the 18-year-old’s chance will likely come rapidly.
The La Liga heavyweights retain the option to sign the Brazilian wonderkid for €20 million, with the purchase clause not affected by his recent contract renewal. The purchase option also rules out other European clubs from signing Kaiky, and it will be interesting to see if Barcelona will launch the offensive for him in the summer transfer window.
