Barcelona reshapes their scouting network with major structural changes | OneFootball

Barcelona have officially launched a new phase in their scouting strategy, introducing significant changes across their recruitment department as part of a broader effort to strengthen talent identification both in Spain and abroad, reports SPORT.

Since Joao Amaral arrived last summer to lead the club’s scouting operations, Barcelona have gradually reshaped the department with a renewed focus on identifying emerging prospects.

Unlike previous approaches, Amaral has taken a more hands-on role, travelling extensively to watch players in person and becoming heavily involved in monitoring many of the young talents attracting the club’s attention.

Greater focus on international recruitment

Long regarded as one of Spain’s leading clubs for identifying domestic talent, particularly in Catalonia, Barcelona are now placing greater emphasis on expanding their international scouting network.

The strategy was already visible during the winter transfer window with the arrivals of promising youngsters such as Patricio Pacifico, Juwensley Onstein and Ajay Tavares.

Barcelona are tracking Lucas Herrington. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

The club also continues to closely monitor highly rated prospects including Australian defender Lucas Herrington and Belgian youngster Jesse Bisiwu.

The objective is clear: identify elite young players before Europe’s biggest clubs enter the race.

Daniele Placido to lead emerging talent department

One of the most notable appointments is Daniele Placido, who has become Barcelona’s new Head of Emerging Talent.

Formerly sporting director at Modena, Placido will oversee the recruitment of players aged between 16 and 21, a key development stage within the club’s long-term planning.

Before his spell at Modena, Placido led AS Roma’s youth football structure, bringing extensive experience in identifying and developing promising young players.

New faces join the scouting team

Placido is not the only new addition. Barcelona have also strengthened the department with the arrival of Roger Porta Capdevila, who brings experience in international scouting from his time at Real Betis, Getafe and South American football.

Jordi Villazon has also joined the club, adding significant knowledge of Catalan football from grassroots to semi-professional level.

Deco is overseeing major structural changes to the scouting department. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, several established members of the scouting network will continue in their current roles.

Bruno remains responsible for monitoring the Brazilian market, having originally joined during Paulo Araujo’s tenure. Chechu Rojo also stays with the club and will continue overseeing talent in Spain’s First and Second Divisions.

Key departures

The restructuring also includes several notable exits. David Fernández has left Barcelona after being appointed sporting director of Real Oviedo. He had been an important figure within the club’s international scouting operations.

French scout Jerome Bigot, who joined Barcelona in 2018 after working as an analyst for beIN Sports, has also departed to pursue new professional opportunities.

Portuguese scout Pedro Charana has likewise left the club, recently confirming his departure through social media.

With a refreshed structure, new personnel and an increased emphasis on international talent identification, Barcelona are aiming to build one of Europe’s most proactive scouting networks.

The objective remains unchanged: discover the game’s brightest young prospects before anyone else.