Barcelona deal for teenage attacking prodigy very close to being finalised – report | OneFootball

According to a fresh update from Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona’s deal for Portuguese forward Cardoso Varela is all but finalised.

In fact, the 16-year-old is poised to become the next addition to Barça’s evolving project, although the path to his signing has been far from smooth.

The club’s sporting director, Deco, held decisive talks with Varela’s representatives yesterday, signalling that the transfer is now in its final stages.

Barcelona have long admired the talented left winger and have been monitoring his development closely.

The original intention was to integrate him into the reserve team, but with Barça Atletic suffering relegation to the Second Division, the club is now considering keeping the player on loan at Dinamo Zagreb for another year.

Details of the deal

The financial structure of the deal appears to be relatively straightforward. Barcelona are expected to pay a fixed sum of €5 million for Varela, with a potential €20 million in performance-related add-ons.

These variables are tied to his development and eventual impact within the senior squad.

Barcelona are close to sign Cardoso Varela. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

However, the operation has triggered discontent at FC Porto, where Varela began his football journey before moving abroad.

Porto have raised objections to the deal, asserting that they still hold some claim to the player’s rights.

In response, they have sent formal communication to both Barcelona and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) seeking clarity on the nature of the transfer.

Relationship with FC Porto

The situation is particularly sensitive as Porto view Barça as a ‘sister club’ with whom they have shared a historically amicable relationship.

Although no formal breakdown in diplomatic ties has occurred, sources in Portugal suggest that Porto are frustrated by the lack of involvement or compensation in the deal.

The matter remains under FIFA review, with Porto arguing that Varela’s early exit from their academy should still entitle them to some consideration.

In contrast, Dinamo Zagreb are reportedly already celebrating the move as a done deal. Local reports in Croatia suggest that the club has agreed on the financial package with Barcelona and are confident that the transfer will go through without further complications.