Barcelona rival Chelsea for 18-year-old starlet

Cameron Smith

1 Oct 2023 18:18 BST
3 min read

Barcelona want to sign Corinthians youngster Gabriel Moscard next year after Chelsea saw fail in their attempt to sign him this summer.

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Moscardo, 18, is one of Brazil’s hottest properties and is seen as a future star by the Blaugrana hierarchy.

Sport have reported that Deco has begun talking to Corinthians regarding a possible move as Barca look to add another young Brazilian talent to their squad after Vitor Roque - who will join in 2024.

Xavi and the Barcelona board have reportedly been impressed by Moscardo’s start to life at senior level and are keen to pounce given Chelsea’s interest has cooled following their failed pursuit of the Brazilian this summer.

Barca signed Oriol Romeu and Ilkay Gundogan to bolster their midfield in the summer window, but the Spanish giants aren’t satisfied with their current options and view Moscardo as an ideal transfer target.

Royal Antwerp’s Arthur Vermeeren is also being scouted by the Blaugrana.

Chelsea see Moscardo bids rejected

Chelsea led the race for Moscardo during the most recent summer transfer window, but the Blues reportedly saw two bids turned down.

In September, Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola reported that Chelsea were extremely keen on signing Moscardo this summer.

"So far there's nothing concrete from Barcelona, but he's been observed by several major European clubs including Barca, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Chelsea," the Sao Paulo-based scribe said on YouTube.

"Corinthians rejected two offers from Chelsea. They bid €20m and then came back in with €23m, but it wasn't enough for Corinthians president Duilio Monteiro Alves."

This information was also reported by Fabrizio Romano in August, who told his 18.8 million Twitter followers: "Chelsea have presented [a] formal bid to Corinthians for 2005 born top talent Gabriel Moscardo.

“Bid already discussed between clubs...[I'm] told Corinthians now want €25m to sell Moscardo and make it [a] club record sale. It’d be a signing for the future."

Moscardo has made 15 appearances for Corinthians’ senior team so far after breaking into the team in 2023.