Barcelona tracking 16-year-old Brazilian attacking prodigy, Deco an admirer – report

Barcelona have made it a point to try and sign youth talent with potential in recent transfer windows, after having seen the success of young stars like Pedri, Gavi, and Alejandro Balde in the first-team setup.

The Blaugrana roped in young players like Lucas Roman and Julian Araujo during the winter and have their sights set on a move for Athletico Paranaense’s Vitor Roque for this summer.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are also closing in on the capture of young defender Mikayil Faye.

Now, according to SPORT’s Joaquim Piera, Barcelona have found another young jewel that interests them a great deal in the form of Vasco da Gama’s Rayan Vitor.

A left-footed winger, Rayan is making all the right noises in Brazil at the age of just 16. The young attacker has made 11 appearances for Vasco da Gama’s Under-20 outfit, scoring three goals and setting up two more.

Rayan made his senior debut for the Brazilian outfit in January earlier this year and has featured three times in total.

The 16-year-old scored his first senior goal on his first start this past weekend against Internacional, becoming the youngest player to find the back of the net for Vasco da Gama in the 21st century.

The report states that Barcelona scouts have been tracking the young attacking prodigy for more than a year and a half, with incoming sporting director Deco understood to be an admirer. The former midfielder has also been closely monitoring Rayan’s progress along with the club’s scouting department.

A player who can slot in across the frontline, Rayan is strong and powerful and has a lot of goals in him. His contract with Vasco da Gama lasts until 2025.

At this point Barcelona are only tracking him and the club cannot sign him until he turns 18, which will be in August next year.