Barcelona monitor ‘Belinho operation’ as another Andy Bara prospect follows Mika Faye path | OneFootball

The strong commitment of FC Barcelona to identifying and developing young talent has become increasingly evident in recent seasons. Beyond the growing presence of academy graduates in the first team, the club has also been proactive in the transfer market by targeting promising youngsters from across the globe who fit its long term sporting vision.

Among the most notable examples of this strategy are Mika Faye and Lovro Chelfi, two young players signed by Barcelona in recent years who were both represented by influential agent Andy Bara.

Bara’s presence around the club has continued to grow, as he also represents key players such as Dani Olmo and Joan Garcia, strengthening his ties with the Catalan giants and making him an important intermediary in several operations.

Now, Barcelona appear to be monitoring a similar pathway with another emerging talent. According to SPORT, the club is closely following the situation of Rafael Belinho, a highly rated 17-year-old Brazilian midfielder who is also represented by Andy Bara.

Belinho recently left Dinamo Zagreb to join NK Kustosija, a Croatian third division club that has already served as a stepping stone for Faye and Chelfi before their eventual moves to Barcelona.

Belinho himself has framed the decision as a carefully considered step in his development, explaining publicly that he believes the move is best for both his sporting growth and his family at this stage of his career.

From Barcelona’s perspective, the transfer fits into a broader and calculated strategy. Due to FIFA regulations, the Blaugranes cannot sign the Brazilian directly until he turns 18, making an immediate move impossible despite their interest dating back nearly a year.

Negotiating with a smaller club such as Kustosija represents a far more manageable scenario for Barcelona than dealing directly with a powerhouse like Dinamo Zagreb. This is further facilitated by the fact that Andy Bara is an investor in Kustosija, allowing for smoother communication and planning between all parties involved.

The parallels with previous cases are difficult to ignore. Both Mika Faye and Lovro Chelfi followed the same route through Kustosija before securing their moves to Barcelona, and Belinho now appears to be on a similar trajectory.

While no deal is imminent, the situation reinforces Barcelona’s patient and strategic approach to youth recruitment, as well as their intention to secure top-level prospects well before they reach full market value.

For Belinho, the ultimate goal seems clear. The report from SPORT also indicates that playing for Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou remains Belinho’s ambition, and if his development continues on the expected path, the Blaugranes could once again benefit from a carefully orchestrated long-term operation centered on elite young talent.