Barcelona showed interest in 17-year-old Brazilian prodigy Gabriel Moscardo, but he is closing in on joining Chelsea.
According to a report by SPORT, as relayed by Sport Witness, Gabriel Moscardo is the subject of interest from Barcelona. But the Brazilian prodigy is “one step away” from joining Chelsea, possibly in the January transfer window. Meanwhile, Corinthians will demand €30 million to part ways with him.
Gabriel Moscardo is one of the best young prospects in his homeland. The 17-year-old has been with Corinthians since 2017 when he was just 11 years old. And he has come leaps and bounds in the last half a dozen years, rapidly rising through the ranks before making his first-team debut this year.
A defensive midfielder by trade, the teenage sensation reads the game well and is not afraid to put in crunching tackles. The Brazilian prodigy has turned out 23 times in all competitions thus far this season, including age-group games. And Gabriel’s progress has not gone unnoticed, with Barcelona and Chelsea showing interest in him.
The report claims Deco drove Barcelona’s interest in Gabriel Moscardo this past summer. And with the Blaugrana constantly foraying the South American market for young prospects, it is hardly surprising that the teenage wonderkid emerged as a target. This comes shortly after Barcelona agreed to a deal for another Brazilian prodigy, Vitor Roque.
With Oriol Romeu on the wrong side of 30, Barcelona can do with a young holding midfielder. So, Gabriel Moscardo was a viable target for the reigning La Liga champions. But Barcelona will likely lose the race to sign the 17-year-old to Chelsea, who tried negotiating a summer deal for him.
Chelsea’s interest in Moscardo, valued at €30 million by Corinthians, has not withered. And reports this week have suggested that the West London club’s offer remains on the Brazilian club’s table. The latest update suggests Chelsea will beat Barcelona to his signature, as they are “one step away” from signing him.
The Blues have been hyper-active in the market for promising youngsters under the Todd Boehly-led regime. Chelsea signed Brazilian prospects like Angelo Gabriel and Deivid Washington this past summer. And Gabriel will seemingly become the latest prodigy from the country to join Chelsea in the coming months.
