Five-time UEFA Champions League winners Barcelona have taken an important step in monitoring one of Brazil’s brightest teenage prospects as they continue to strengthen their long-term recruitment strategy.
According to Spanish outlet SPORT, the Catalan giants have made initial contact with the representatives of Eduardo Conceicao, a highly rated 16-year-old striker currently on the books at Palmeiras. While no formal bid is on the table, Barça are keen to position themselves early in the race for elite South American talent.
The report revealed that Barcelona’s interest forms part of their annual scouting programme in Brazil, with a member of the club’s technical staff once again dispatched to São Paulo to assess emerging prospects.
However, the outlet stresses that Conceicao’s rise was not solely identified during this year’s Copinha youth tournament. Internal evaluations had already been compiled during his time with Palmeiras’ U-17 side, where he is said to have impressed club scouts with his potential.
João Amaral, who currently oversees Barcelona’s scouting operations, alongside the club’s Sporting Director, Deco, have already met with the wonderkid’s agent, Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.
In that meeting, the club laid down their plans for the young Conceicao, citing they view him as a long-term process, potentially following in the steps of Neymar Junior who moved from Santos to Barcelona, and fit like a glove.
While there’s an eagerness from both sides to see a deal struck, a transfer for the versatile forward is much more complex. Conceicao recently signed a new contract with Palmeiras that runs until January 2029, with the Brazilian club inserting a €100m release clause to protect their asset, meaning Barca have no ground to exercise a buy-out option, considering their financial status.
Still, Les Blaugrana are not giving up home. According to FIFA regulations, Conceicao cannot move to Europe until he turns 18 which will be January next year. The club believe their books will be robust by that time, thus making the chances of making a transfer happen likelier.
However, Barcelona are conscious of the increasing competition from Premier League clubs, and are considering having a pre-contract in place.
