Barcelona close to signing Fluminense youngsters Gerson and Kenedy

Gerson could move to Barcelona in January 2016

Barcelona are closing in on another South American starlet, Gerson and have already paid €3m in order to get first-option of buying the talented youngster. It is rumoured that Gerson’s Fluminense teammate Kenedy is also being targeted by Barcelona. Gerson, 18, is an attacking midfielder while Kenedy, 19, is a forward.

Barcelona’s transfer technical committee member Ariedo Braida told Italian TV channel Gazzetta TV that they have first option to buy the starlets.

"One of our intermediaries lives in Brazil and he has been working on this," Braida told Gazzetta TV. "There has been an option to sign the two for some time now.".

This has been confirmed by the 18-year-old’s agent Machado, who said: “It’s true that Barcelona have paid €3m to have preference over Gerson’s signing,” Machado was quoted as saying by the Globo newspaper.

Fluminense want €30m from Barcelona for Gerson

According to ESPN, Barcelona have already offered €20m for the player but Fluminense is holding out for €30m. It is said that Juventus had made a better bid, but it seems the player prefers a move to the Camp Nou.

If the deal goes through then Gerson would have to wait till January to represent the Catalan club as they are still serving FIFA’s transfer ban.

Kenedy is also close to a move to Barcelona

Gerson has played only 6 matches this season for Fluminense scoring once where as Kenedy has a lot more first team experience. He has played in 40 matches, scoring 5 goals. Kenedy has also played for Brazil U17 and Brazil U20, whereas Gerson has represented Brazil’s U20.

Kenedy was previously linked with a move to the Premier League with Manchester United and Chelsea the possible destinations.