La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing 17-year-old Brazilian attacking sensation Kaua Elias from Fluminense.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Barcelona will head into the Brazilian market for two strikers. The interest in Vitor Roque has been well-documented for a long time. But the Catalan giants are also keeping tabs on the progress of 17-year-old Fluminense prodigy Kaua Elias.
Kaua Elias has spent his formative years thus far in his homeland, taking age-group football by storm. The teenage sensation has gone from strength to strength in Fluminense’s youth division and currently represents the Brazilian club’s under-20 side. In addition, he has broken into the Brazilian under-17 team, scoring five goals in seven outings.
A centre-forward by trade, Elias can also play as a second striker. And the youngster’s progress at Fluminense has captured the attention of several high-profile European clubs. Barcelona will be among the teenage prodigy’s prospective suitors in the coming months.
The Catalan giants are in the market for a young striker who can learn the ropes from Robert Lewandowski before becoming the long-term first-choice striker. Several candidates have thus popped up on Barcelona’s radar. And Vitor Roque is the top target for the Blaugrana heading into the summer transfer window.
But recent reports have suggested that Barcelona might not be in a healthy financial position to afford Vitor Roque. So while the Athletico Paranaense wonderkid remains on Barcelona’s radar, they have also set their sights on an alternative. Kaua Elias has thus emerged as a possible target.
But Barcelona will have to wait until the 2024 summer transfer window to sign the 17-year-old Brazilian attacking sensation. The teenage whizkid is yet to turn 18. And with FIFA rules prohibiting players under 18 years older to move to Europe from South America, March 28, 2024 will be the cut-off for suitors.
However, with Barcelona not in a position to afford to sign Vitor Roque, something will have to give. It will be interesting to see if the Blaugrana can reach an appropriate arrangement with Athletico-PR. If not, we might see Barcelona waiting until 2024 to sign Kaua Elias from Fluminense.
