FC Barcelona Interested In Signing Brazilian Fluminense Ace Kaua Elias: Reports

FC Barcelona are interested in possibly signing Brazilian teen sensation Kaua Elias, according to SPORT.

Like another Barca target in Athletico Paranaense striker Vitor Roque, Elias impressed at the recent U-17 South American Championship in Ecuador where he scored two braces in eventual champions Brazil’s opening two games against the hosts and Chile.

According to SPORT, a Barcelona scout that was present at the tournament took “very good note” of Elias, who stands out for his 1.80m height, strong physicality, great finishing, and nose for goalscoring.

The 17-year-old can also play with both feet, has excellent technique, and is adept at operating in tight spaces and exploding in quick transitions.

Hailing from Uberlandia in Minas Gerais, Elias was scouted in 2016 by Fluminense and progressed through its famed Xerem academy as the top scorer in a series of international competitions the Rio club commonly plays.

In June 2021, Elias signed his first professional contract with Fluminense which has him secure until 2027 with a release clause worth 280 million Brazilian reais ($56 million) according to Globo.

This is of course higher than the price tag Athletico Paranaense have put on Vitor Roque over in Curitiba, yet Elias is expected to move on before his terms expire when he comes of adult age in 2024.

Barca could hold off on trying to sign Roque this summer, and try and get their financial house in order to launch an assault on Fluminense for Elias next year.

In times when the Catalans are mired in debts and have been warned to shave €200 million ($218 million) from the wage bill, raising the funds for a big purchase of this magnitude will be a tall order.

To even consider pulling off such a coup, Barca may have to look at offloading one of their underperforming wingers in Ansu Fati, Raphinha and Ferran Torres.

In recent days, SPORT has reported that Barca will listen to offers for the trio at the same time president Joan Laporta is also considering offloading Robert Lewandowski according to El Nacional.