Barcelona target move for Natan, former Flamengo player | OneFootball

Developed through Flamengo’s youth ranks, Natan is close to signing with Barcelona (ESP)

A Flamengo academy product is close to becoming a Barcelona (ESP) signing. Natan, the center back who won the Brazilian league title with Mengão in 2020, is in talks with the Catalan club to replace Ronald Araújo, who is negotiating with Liverpool of England.

Now 25 years old, Natan currently plays for Real Betis, also in Spain. In the last season, 2025/26, the former Flamengo defender made 45 appearances for the green-and-white side, with no goals and one assist. Since leaving Mengão, the center back has played for Bragantino and Napoli (ITA), and has worn the Betis shirt since 2024/25.

This is not the first time Natan has been on Barcelona’s radar. In June, the two sides held talks, but Betis asked for 30 million euros, approximately R$ 176.6 million, which caused the Catalans to put the negotiations on hold. However, with the possible departure of Uruguayan Ronald Araújo and the need for a replacement, contact regarding the Brazilian has resumed.

WHAT DOES NATAN THINK ABOUT THE POSSIBLE MOVE?

According to information published by TNT Sports Brasil, Natan sees wearing the Barcelona shirt as a major step in his career. The chance to compete for titles and play in the Champions League appeals to the former Flamengo player. It is true that Betis will also be in the competition this season, for the first time in two decades, but the club is not considered one of the favorites.

HOW DID NATAN DO AT FLAMENGO?

Signed by Flamengo while still in the youth setup, at the under-17 level, after coming from Ponte Preta, Natan made his first-team debut in 2020, the year of the club’s seventh Brazilian league title. That season, he made 15 appearances and scored one goal. Even with strong performances, the youngster was loaned to Bragantino in 2021 and never returned, later being bought by the São Paulo-based club for R$ 22 million.

At the club from the interior of São Paulo, Natan stood out with 104 appearances, three goals, and two assists, drawing the attention of Napoli (ITA), who signed him in 2023. Later, the defender joined Betis, where he plays today. Despite his success in Europe, the academy product has only won titles while wearing the Flamengo shirt: one Brasileirão, two Carioca titles, and several youth-level tournaments.

WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION?

— Flamengo dropped the ball with Natan. He always showed a lot of talent, but he was barely used. He had a good spell under Rogério Ceni. And now here he is, on Barcelona’s radar. It will be one of the biggest challenges of his career if the transfer goes through — said Pedro Paulo Catonho, journalist for Coluna do Fla.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.