Jose Mourinho moves to secure 17-year-old Benfica gem amid Barcelona interest – Report | OneFootball

In recent days, the transfer strategy of FC Barcelona has been crystal clear. The club is keener to make stars rather than buy them, and is focusing on developmental bets across the football world who have the potential to play for the first team in the future.

A number of such youngsters have been linked with a move to the club. One such player Barcelona were interested in, and had sent scouts to watch on occasion, was Benfica starlet Daniel Banjaqui, a promising right-back. Adding fuel to the speculation, Banjaqui himself began following Barcelona on social media.

However, Benfica manager José Mourinho has taken decisive steps to secure the teenager’s future at the Portuguese club. As reported by SPORT, Mourinho handed Banjaqui his first full debut in a league match against Estrela da Amadora.

The teenager played all 90 minutes, helped his team to a 4-0 victory, and even contributed an assist for fellow talent Anisio Cabral. With many European clubs, not just the Catalans, interested in the promising right-back, this could be a decisive vote of confidence from the legendary manager.

The Portuguese club has been negotiating with Banjaqui to secure a new contract, though talks have not yet been finalized. The defender is set to turn 18 on March 24, and his next career decision is likely to be a pivotal one.

Mourinho’s track record does not necessarily speak for him when it comes to trusting youngsters in the first team, but if he is willing to give a 17-year-old a starting berth, it shows just how talented the player is.

Banjaqui was unanimously regarded as the best right-back on show at the U-17 World Cup. He is an attack-minded full-back whose physicality belies his age. Barcelona view him as a good bet as Kounde’s alternative.

It remains to be seen whether Barcelona continue to interest the teenager as his next destination, or whether Mourinho’s trust in him prompts him to reject all advances and focus on succeeding at the Portuguese club. Only time will tell how it plays out.