Barcelona have been linked with Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, with the latest report from Italy claiming the Blaugrana are working on bringing the Croatian to Spain at the end of this season.

According to Corriere Dello Sport (h/t Sport), sporting director Robert Fernandez is looking for young players whose value is set to rise significantly in the future, and the 23-year-old certainly fits the bill.

The club’s new transfer direction makes sense given the current financial concerns surrounding the Catalans. Per Lluis Miguelsanz of Sport, the Blaugrana aren’t in a position to sign any big-name players, as they’re struggling to make ends meet.

A player like Brozovic could be a nice alternative. The midfielder is currently on loan with Inter Milan from Dinamo Zagreb, with the Italians holding a clause to make the deal permanent at the end of the season.

The player is just starting to find his best form after a shaky start, and the Nerazzurri are expected to trigger the clause.

Brozovic joined Inter in January of last season, and he looked like a bit of a flop during the first few months of his Serie A career. He’s looked much improved during the 2015-16 campaign, however, making headlines with his ability to score spectacular goals.

This fan shared two prime examples:

As a versatile playmaker who can line up all over midfield, Brozovic holds a lot of value as a depth option and a youngster who can still be developed. Croatia has produced a number of talented central midfielders in the last couple of years, including Ivan Rakitic, who has been a tremendous success since moving to the Camp Nou.

Barcelona don’t need to reinforce their midfield, with plenty of young talent already in the squad or out on loan. Alen Halilovic figures to play a big role in the club’s future, for instance, and it’s hard to see how Brozovic would carve out a role for himself going up against so much talent.

Inter will be reluctant to sell, unless any club makes a significant offer, and in all likelihood, Brozovic will either stay with the Nerazzurri or move to a club where his chances of finding consistent playing time are greater.

 

Blaugrana Nearing Deal for Robert Goncalves

According to Globoesporte (h/t AS), Barcelona are close to sealing a loan deal for Fluminese midfielder Robert Goncalves, a 19-year-old forward who is likely to join Barcelona B on an extended trial.

His agent, Vitor Leal, confirmed the news:

We are in negotiations with Barcelona. Fluminense have accepted the proposal and Barcelona are happy with it. We’re just waiting to receive all the information we need before travelling to Barcelona. It will be a year-long loan.

Barcelona want Robert to play in the youth team and to work towards playing for the senior side. They have been watching him for some time and they think his style will fit in with the club’s philosophy. He won’t be short of opportunities there

Goncalves has long been touted as one of Brazil’s best prospects, but his development took a big hit a few years ago due to a car accident, per Sport‘s Ivan San Antonio. He has since worked his way back to full health and has looked impressive in limited first-team action in 2015-16.

Here’s a look at some of his highlights:

Goncalves has tremendous raw potential as a dribbler and finisher, displaying incredible short-area quickness and the ability to make decisions in the blink of an eye. He’s not a particularly polished player, but as a prospect, Barcelona could do far worse.

The one-year-loan deal effectively works as a trial. Goncalves will have ample time to adapt to his new environment and learn Barcelona’s system, which can be a problem for youngsters who didn’t train at La Masia before moving up to Barcelona B.

Goncalves looks quick and agile enough to contribute further up the pitch and play as a winger or forward, handing him the kind of versatility the Catalans love. If he keeps his head down and continues to improve, the loan deal will quickly turn into a permanent move.

 

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