Chelsea and Barcelona are all set to face competition from Manchester City for the services of Dinamo Zagreb sensation Cardoso Varela.
According to an update by Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, Cardoso Varela could end up joining a European giant in the summer of 2026, as some of the biggest clubs are closely monitoring the Portuguese teenage sensation. Manchester City are ready to rival Chelsea and Barcelona for the signature of the 16-year-old.
Cardoso Varela was a part of the FC Porto youth setup before he joined Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb at the start of 2025. Initially, he was a part of their Under-19s, but the teenager has been promoted to their first team ahead of the new season.
The young winger has already made six senior appearances. While the player is yet to score or assist, his exceptional rise has not gone unnoticed, and multiple top clubs want to sign him because of his massive potential.
European giants could battle for Varela’s signature
Cardoso Varela’s contract with the Croatian club runs until the summer of 2028, but they are unlikely to keep hold of him for long. Chelsea and Barcelona are two clubs that have been monitoring him for some time. The Blues’ project revolves around signing the best young players, and the 16-year-old certainly fits the bill.
Meanwhile, the Catalan giants are also looking to build for the long run, and they feel Varela could be an ideal fit for their youth setup. He has the potential to break into their first team and become one of their mainstays going forward.
However, both clubs are set to face competition from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. While Pep Guardiola already has a star-studded squad, they want to add more quality to the mix, and Varela is someone who can help them continue their dominance.
All three clubs are closely monitoring him, and they will continue to scout him throughout the ongoing season, as they have plans in place to try and sign him next summer. While Zagreb will struggle to keep hold of him, they will certainly demand a significant fee to let go of the Portuguese youth international.
