Barcelona beaten to the signing of 16-year-old South American wonderkids by Arsenal | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are always on the lookout for special talent across the globe to strengthen their youth ranks and turn them into stars for the future.

The South American region, in particular, is an area that the Blaugrana are monitoring with a keen eye in the hope of unearthing the next big talent.

Arsenal beat Barcelona to sign Edwin and Holger Quintero

However, in a blow for the Catalans, they have seemingly been beaten in the race to sign two teenage prodigies they had on their radars.

Indeed, according to Joaquim Piera of SPORT, Edwin and Holger Quintero, both 16 and products of Independiente del Valle, had been highly rated by Barcelona’s scouting department, but are set to sign for Arsenal.

Scouts who follow the South American market were long aware of the potential of both players, developed at Ecuador’s standout youth-development club.

Arsenal beat Barcelona to the signing of the Quintero twins. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Edwin is a left-footed winger capable of playing on both sides. Highly technical, gifted in one-on-one situations, two-footed, a scorer, and elegant on the ball, he is considered an attacker of undeniable quality.

His brother Holger is an offensive No. 10, also noted for his technical skill – light, fast, with good vision, and excellent arriving from the second line.

Barcelona’s scouting department held the Ecuadorian twins in high regard, but it is Arsenal who have moved swiftly to secure their signings.

The structure of the deal is already in place. The agreement between clubs will be completed in the coming days for an undisclosed fee.

Edwin and Holger Quintero, currently in London undergoing medical tests, will return to Ecuador afterwards. Their actual move to the Premier League will take place in the summer of 2027, once they turn 18 years old.