Barcelona are eager to make a statement in this summer transfer window with the club looking to build a strong team for new manager Hansi Flick.
Flick replaced Xavi Hernandez as Barcelona manager and he has the task of competing with Real Madrid for silverware.
With Barcelona currently struggling financially, the club still have to bring in new players. One position that will be needing a new addition is the left-back position.
Marcos Alonso will depart Barcelona as a free agent this summer and the club will need to find a new backup left-back for Alejandro Balde for next season.
Taking the club financial situation into consideration, Barcelona are now looking at bringing in 18-year-old Brazilian left-back João Henrique Mendes, known as Esquerdinha.
Esquerdinha (C) of Fluminense kicks the ball during the Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2023 group D match between The Strongest and Fluminense (Photo by Gaston Brito Miserocchi/Getty Images)
According to SPORT, Barcelona have set their sights on a move for the Fluminense teenage left-back.
The 18-year-old is a promising young talent coming through Fluminense and is currently a part of their Under-20 setup although he has already made a solitary first-team appearance for the Brazilian outfit.
Barcelona scouts are understood to have been monitoring the 18-year-old for quite some time now. They are aware that he has a contract until 2026 with a release clause of €70 million and that there is a high possibility of him leaving Fluminense.
Other European clubs are also willing to sign Esquerdinha but Barca are hoping to sort out a deal before things escalate.
Esquerdinha has represented the Brazil national team at the Under-17 level, racking up nine appearances.
In Brazil, Esquerdinha is regarded as one of the best up-and-coming talents in his position – very technical, competitive mentality, fast, strong, and a specialist in direct free-kicks.
