Barcelona director holds fresh talks to further the signing of 17-year-old midfield prodigy | OneFootball

Barcelona continue to monitor emerging young talent, particularly in Brazil, despite having made Nico Williams their top transfer priority this summer.

The Catalan giants’ focus remains on identifying high-potential prospects available at affordable prices, aiming to move early before Europe’s other elite clubs act.

Brazil, especially, is a key market in this strategy, given Deco’s deep knowledge of the region. As such, the Blaugrana continue to compile scouting reports on talents and pursue deals that offer strong upside with minimal risk.

Ze Lucas to Barcelona advancing

In line with this approach, SPORT reports that a young Brazilian talent has recently been offered to Barcelona.

The player in question is 17-year-old Ze Lucas of Sport Recife, who is already making a name for himself in Brazilian football.

Ze Lucas is highly rated by Barcelona’s sporting department, and a meeting to evaluate a possible transfer was held on Tuesday.

Ze Lucas is a gifted youngster. (Photo by Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images)

Sport Recife’s sporting director, Thiago Gasparino, travelled to Barcelona with other club officials and met with his Blaugrana counterpart, Deco, to discuss the player’s future.

Interest from Barcelona was initially reported earlier this week and it appears that things are moving forward with a meeting now taking place between the club executives.

Ze Lucas is a defensive midfielder with great potential. The youngster is already the captain of the Brazil Under-17 national team and led them to the South American Championship triumph earlier this year.

Despite his young age, the teenage midfielder has become a starter for Sport Recife’s first team and his vast potential has made Barcelona act swiftly.

If an agreement is reached between the clubs, Ze Lucas will need to remain in Brazil for another year before joining Barcelona as regulations prohibit the move until he turns 18.