Barcelona will continue to invest in the African market in pursuit of the next superstar | OneFootball

Barcelona are stepping up their efforts in Africa, a market that has already brought several young prospects to the club.

In fact according to an update from SPORT, the Blaugrana plan to give maximum attention to the continent, with a clear strategy to find and sign emerging talent before rival European clubs make a move.

The arrival of Joao Amaral as the new director of the scouting department has given this project fresh energy. Under his command, ‘Operation Africa’ is expected to operate at full pace.

Fruitful market for Barcelona

One of the key figures in this mission is Mousa Kone, the club’s scout in the region, who has been praised for his excellent work in identifying promising players.

Last season alone, Barcelona brought in four highly rated African teenagers to their youth academy, namely, David Oduro, Aziz Issah, Ibrahim Diarra, and Hafiz Gariba, all aged 18.

Barcelona are paying close attention to the African market. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Interestingly, several other talents from the continent have also been tested at the Ciutat Esportiva in recent months.

Beating the competition with early talent detection

In a period where financial resources are limited and registering first-team players is a constant challenge, Barcelona’s strategy is to detect talent early and secure signings ahead of fierce competition from England and France.

It is said that both countries have been highly active in scouting Africa, making it essential for Barça to move quickly.

The approach offers clear benefits, with reduced transfer costs compared to buying fully developed players. However, it also carries greater risks.

Signing players at such a young age means the club is investing in potential rather than proven ability.

These players must wait until they turn 18, the minimum age for non-EU signings to fully join La Masia, where they will receive the final stages of their football education.