Barcelona hold talks with Portuguese agents to discuss 19-year-old Benfica talent | OneFootball

According to SPORT, it has come to light that Barcelona have turned their attention to 19-year-old centre-back Goncalo Oliveira from Benfica.

The young defender, a left-footed defender, has been making waves in Portugal.

While still part of Benfica’s reserve team, Oliveira has been involved in first-team training sessions under Jose Mourinho and is being closely monitored by several coaches, who consider him one of the brightest prospects in the club’s academy.

The news comes after an informal meeting between Barcelona’s sporting director Deco and Portuguese agents Carlos Goncalves and Antonio Casanova.

Although the conversation was friendly and low-key, Oliveira’s name naturally came up.

The discussion revolved around his projection as a defender, but it was not part of a formal negotiation or immediate plan to transfer the player.

Barcelona in no rush

It is important to note that Barcelona are not in a hurry to reinforce their central defence.

Goncalo Oliveira has a contract with Benfica until 2029. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Oliveira, who has a contract with Benfica until 2029, is seen as a potential long-term asset for Portuguese football, but for now, Barça’s sporting management is taking a careful approach.

Any decision to strengthen this position would come only after a thorough analysis from the scouting department and Deco, ensuring that any move aligns with the club’s strategy.

Currently, there is no open negotiation, nor an immediate intention to sign Oliveira. Barcelona continue to follow their usual strategy of closely monitoring young talents across Europe, preparing to act when the timing is right.

This measured approach allows the Catalan club to stay ahead in the race for top prospects while maintaining stability in their squad.

With Oliveira’s growing reputation and left-footed skill set, he is expected to attract attention from other major clubs in the future.

For now, Barcelona are simply observing, ensuring they have a clear understanding of the player’s development before making any concrete decisions.