Now that Vitor Roque is officially a Barcelona player, a report from Mundo Deportivo has emerged that Estevao Willian Almeida de Oliveira Goncalves, Palmeiras’ 16-year-old forward, is being targetted by Barcelona.
Roger Torello writes for the aforementioned outlet that Deco, the current sporting director of the club, has been keeping tabs on the player’s performances for a long time now and he believes that Estevao could be the one for the future.
Interestingly enough, Estevao has all the traits to become a Barcelona player. To begin with, he is represented by Andre Cury, the same man who catered Roque’s deal with Barcelona. And his relationship with Barça is going to be an added advantage.
Estevao, who is often called ‘Messinho’, idolizes former Barcelona star Lionel Messi. This is why he wants to follow in the footsteps of the now Inter Miami forward, meaning that he is prioritizing a move to Barcelona over any other club.
“I really like Messi, who is a great player for me and I hope I can follow his example,” he once said in an interview with MD.
In this context, Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain also have their eyes set on the player. Remember it was PSG, among a few other teams, who attempted to hijack Barcelona’s move for Roque in the past.
This time, they do have the opportunity but Estevao wants Barcelona and no one else. It is even claimed that PSG put in an official offer of €50 million for Estevao, but the player is not interested in joining the French team.
Meanwhile, his agent, Cury, has great hopes from his client so much so that he believes the 16-year-old can become a Ballon d’Or candidate in the future. “He is a super talent, from 2007. He is a show, the next Ballon d’Or.”
For now, not only Barcelona will wait for Estevao turn 18, at which point he can leave Brazil. Although, Deco could look to tie up a deal for the teenage jewel before that to stave off threat from other suitors like PSG.
