Barcelona to Sign Brazil Youngster Gustavo Maia From Sao Paulo
By Ali Rampling
Barcelona have won the race to sign Brazilian prospect Gustavo Maia from Sao Paulo, acting swiftly to beat a handful of Premier League and La Liga admirers to his signature.
The 19-year-old is yet to make a first team appearance for the Brazilian outfit, but has caught the attention of a host of scouts in the Copa Sao Paulo de Juniores.
Maia was called up to the senior side at the turn of the year, but the coronavirus outbreak has prevented him from making his first team debut.
Barcelona have paid 1 million euros for an option to buy talented Sao Paulo forward Gustavo Maia (19). If the club wish to sign him before June 31st, they will have to pay another 3.5 million euros. Maia is considered as one of Sao Paulo's jewels. [sport] pic.twitter.com/wKcCvincDy
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) March 19, 2020
According to a report in Spanish news outlet SPORT, Barcelona have already paid an initial fee of just under £1m to secure majority ownership of the youngster, with over £3m in add ons to be paid to confirm the deal. Sao Paulo will retain a 30% stake in the player.
The remaining add ons will be paid on 30 June to finalise the deal, with Barcelona owning 70% of his economic rights.
Speaking about the deal, Sao Paulo's director of football Alexandre Passaro told ESPN Brazil (via Diario AS): ''We have a purchase option if Barcelona want to buy him during this season.
Barcelona one step closer to buying Gustavo Maia after paying €1 million down payment on the Brazilian teenager. [AS] pic.twitter.com/q9WpWweRrD
— Select FCB (@SelectFCB) March 20, 2020
''His total release clause is 4.5million euros with a further 3.5m euros to pay.
''The deal is structured in this way to prevent losing players in the middle of a domestic season.''
Maia is deployed predominantly as a forward, but can operate out wide or as a target man. He has been on the radar of scouts in Spain for two years, while a number of Premier League clubs were also keeping tabs on him.
Barcelona 'agree first refusal agreement with Sao Paolo' as they look to clinch £4m signing of teenage Brazilian prodigy Gustavo Maia who has not yet played at senior level but has featured for club and country's youth teams. pic.twitter.com/rOwRlOnh2N
— Lilian Chan (@bestgug) March 20, 2020
He joined Sao Paulo's famous Cotia academy - which has seen Kaka, Casemiro, and Lucas Moura pass through its doors - aged 13, with his performances in the Copinha youth club tournament triggering a call up to the senior side this year.
Maia has represented Brazil at Under-16 and Under-17 level.
The signing demonstrates Barcelona's continued commitment to invest in young South American talent, with Maia teaming up with Matheus Fernandes & Matheus Pereira at Camp Nou, who both joined at the start of the year.