Barca secure Brazilian starlets?

Barcelona have reportedly secured a first option on Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus and agreed a season-long loan for defender Marlon Santos.

According to Sport, Barca have acted on the warnings of their South American representative Andre Cury that interest in Gabriel from the Premier League was spiralling “out of control”.

Consequently, La Blaugrana will pay Palmeiras for a first option on the striker, which would prevent other teams from signing him without their dispensation.

The only other decision lies with whether to sign him this summer or let him stay in Brazil for one more year.

Barca’s offer of €19m plus €5m in variables was not enough to trigger the teenager’s release clause, prompting both Manchester clubs and Real Madrid to join the race for his signature.

However, the newspaper claims the player’s preferred destination is Spain and namely Barca as he “dreams” of wearing their jersey.

In an unrelated second deal, Sport adds Barca have completed a loan swoop for Fluminense’s Marlon.

The 20-year-old, who was close to signing for Villarreal last summer, will arrive to bolster the club’s B team with the view to a senior promotion.

Barca were offered Marlon after Flu had yet to pay back the €3.2m the former spent on securing a first option for Gerson, who eventually joined Roma.

A runner-up at the Under-20 World Cup last year, he could then be purchased for just €1.8m, with his parent club writing off the money owed.

Tags Brazil Fluminense Gabriel Jesus Marlon Santos Transfers
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