Barca and Real locked in battle to sign Spanish wonderkid

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 11 Jan 2023 16:04 GMT
• 3 min read

Barcelona and Real Madrid want to sign Brazilian sensation Endrick, but there is another young talent much closer to home who has attracted the interest of both Clasico giants…

Endrick looks to be the next big thing, already Palmeiras' youngest debutant and the second-youngest scorer in Brazilian top-flight history, but he can't move to Europe until his 18th birthday in the summer of 2024.

And before then, Barca and Real both need a new midfield anchor anyway, preferably of the generational variety. Barcelona talisman Sergio Busquets is out of contract at the end of the season while Real have already sold their long-time anchor Casemiro to Manchester United for €80 million.

READ: The one possible Real Madrid signing in January

Step forward Valencia youngster Javi Geurra, who has starred for los Che's reserves this season and been called up to first-team training despite his tender 19 years.

"Real Madrid, who are banking on this player for their Castilla team next season, have an interest which has now been followed by Barca's," report Marca.

"Members of los Cules were watching Guerra live at the Dani Jarque Sports City when Valencia Mestalla last played against Espanyol B and, as this newspaper has ascertained, attended a meeting to learn of his progress at the Mestalla."

Guerra picked a good day to score his only goal of the season so far, hitting a stunning opener as Valencia ran out 6-0 winners last Saturday, although that isn't normally his job.

READ: Busquets confirms plans to join Messi in Miami

How good is Guerra?

Guerra is a deep-lying playmaker who has more than a little in common with Busquets stylistically, his 5'10" frame helping him control and shield the ball from the attacking press with his ability to pick out the right pass eerily similar.

He has two under-19 caps to his name, helping Santi Denia's side to a pair of victories over Mexico last March and May, and can expect to progress through the national team set-up quickly with either Barcelona or Real Madrid on his footballing CV.