FC Barcelona seem to be on the lookout for defensive reinforcements, especially at full back, to give Hansi Flick more quality in the squad. Gerard Martin, despite his solid displays, looks better at centre back than he does on the left.
In recent weeks, the Catalan club has been linked with potential left-back reinforcements like Alejandro Grimaldo from Bayer Leverkusen. Even Joao Cancelo has been floated as a name in recent reports to kill two birds with one stone.
Now, according to Diario do Peixe (via Mundo Deportivo), Barcelona have a 19-year-old Santos gem, Joao Victor Souza, on their shortlist to reinforce the defence. The Brazilian left-back has earned plaudits for his performances for his club.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - OCTOBER 26: Souza of Santos celebrates the penalty kick during the match between Botafogo and Santos as part of Brasileirao 2025 at Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos on October 26, 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Photo by Wagner Meier/Getty Images
The report states that Barcelona are preparing an offer of around €12–15 million to convince Santos to sign Souza. The player already has interest from clubs in the Netherlands and even Bayern Munich, who are ready to bid for him.
If different top European clubs have a player on their radar after scouting, the odds of him being a success story increase. Souza is in a position where he has a lot of eyeballs on him, including Hansi Flick and Barcelona.
However, considering the club’s financial situation, it would be a better decision to spend that kind of amount on a more experienced player like Grimaldo than to spend it on yet another developmental bet. Let us wait and see how things play out in the coming weeks and months.