Barcelona close to signing South American wonderkid compared to Nuno Mendes | OneFootball

Barcelona’s search for emerging talent continues to stretch far beyond Europe, and the club now appears close to securing another promising addition for the future.

The Catalan giants have significantly increased their scouting activity across South America in recent years, identifying young players who can strengthen the club’s development structure while also becoming valuable long-term assets. 

That strategy has already led Barcelona to several exciting prospects, and another name now seems to be moving closer to Camp Nou.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are advancing in negotiations to sign highly-rated Ecuadorian youngster Josue Caicedo from LDU Quito.

Barcelona closing in on Ecuadorian prospect

Barcelona’s recruitment department has been paying close attention to youth football in Ecuador, with scouts regularly monitoring some of the country’s most promising talents.

One club that attracted particular interest was LDU Quito, where Barcelona identified two players who stood out during their evaluations, namely, Josue Caicedo and Ederson Castillo.

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Both youngsters have progressed through the Ecuadorian club’s youth system and have already gained valuable experience at the senior level despite their young age. 

They have also featured in high-level competitions, including the Copa Libertadores, giving them exposure to demanding environments early in their careers.

Among the two prospects, Caicedo has emerged as Barcelona’s primary target.

The 18-year-old originally developed as a winger but has successfully adapted to a deeper role and now operates primarily as a left-back. 

That positional versatility is one of the qualities that caught the attention of Barcelona’s scouting network.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Josue Caicedo (@josue_caice19)

The club now appears close to finalising an agreement that would initially bring the player to Catalonia on loan.

Why Barcelona are excited about Caicedo

The report suggests that Barcelona’s sporting department sees significant upside in the Ecuadorian defender.

On that note, Barcelona are working on a deal that would include a purchase option worth around €2.5 million, giving the club flexibility while allowing them to continue assessing his progress.

One of the most notable descriptions emerging from scouting reports concerns his athletic qualities. 

Those who have followed his development reportedly view him as a player with outstanding stamina and the ability to cover large areas of the pitch throughout a match, a profile that has even drawn comparisons to Paris Saint-Germain left-back Nuno Mendes.