Times are changing in Catalonia. Less than a decade ago, Bartomeu was splurging nine-figure sums on the first flavour-of-the-month talent he found interesting. There was no regard for the system Barcelona played, just players, and a coach who had the impossible task of figuring it all out. It’s very reminiscent of the situation Real Madrid find themselves in today.
However, in our current world of 2026, Barcelona is operating differently. With Sporting Director Deco, and new Head Scout Joao Amaral, the club’s transfer philosophy has changed. After completing the 2 million signing of Roony Bardghji in the summer, and seeing the Swede become a very good backup piece in Hansi Flick’s team, the Catalan side are bringing in some of the world’s finest young stars, and according to top football journalist Fabrizio Romano, are close to completing four such deals. Let’s go through all of these deals, and a potential fifth for the golden child of one of England’s top clubs.
Hamza Abdelkarim
Barca has been close to signing Abdelkarim since the start of the month, and as weeks went by without a deal, it looked on the rocks. However, it’s known that signing a player from Al Ahly is harder than getting a prisoner out of a maximum security prison, and Barcelona have seemingly gotten through all the trials needed to sign the Egyptian.
The deal will be a 6-month loan, with an option to buy of around 3 million, with variables that could rise it to 5 million. The forward will join the Barca Atletic team, as will everyone else in this list, and could be a creative solution to Barcelona’s striker problem following Lewandowski’s imminent departure.
The 18-year old has been free scoring for Egypt’s U17 side, netting 12 in 19 matches and has played a few senior Al Ahly matches, although scored no goals. Abdelkarim was one of the breakout stars of the U17 World Cup back in November-December, scoring twice as Egypt reached the Round of 32 stage.
Ajay Tavares
The youngest of the players nearing Barcelona, Tavares is a 16-year-old English prospect with Norwich who has been lighting it up in the youth teams. The Englishman is a skillful winger and a very fun prospect to watch play. The key, however, is turning that flashy dribbling into a usable skill at the top level.
Because England is no longer in the European Union, English players usually aren’t allowed to move abroad until their eighteenth birthday. It’s the same rule that prevents European clubs to sign South American young talents until they turn 18. However, Tavares has EU citizenship through his Portuguese ancestry, so he’s allowed to move at just 16.
The transfer specifics are unknown, but it is known that Barcelona beat out serious competition for the youngster. Time will tell if Tavares becomes a success story at the top level, or just another highly rated talent who we never hear from again.
Patricio Pacifico
The most aesthetically pleasing name at Barca in a while, Pacifico may end up being the man to solve the left back crisis. A very good player in transition, his playing style is reminiscent of players like Nuno Mendes and Alphonso Davies.
Of all the signings, Pacifico is the one nearest to the first team. The 19-year old has played nearly 50 games in the Uruguayan top flight with Defensor, has made 15 Uruguay U20 appearances and even been called up to the senior team.
Pacifico will be a player who provides another option to Barca other than extending a Cancelo loan, and at 19, will have to make his breakthrough soon to avoid B-Team mediocrity. His deal will be a 6-month loan, with an option to buy of 2.5 million that becomes mandatory if he plays 10 matches. Whether those 10 matches will be for the first team or Atletic team, however, is unknown.
Regardless, Pacifico represents a good depth option in defense, and that is very welcome in this Barcelona side.
Juwensley Onstein
The last player that the Blaugrana is closing in on, Onstein is an imposing center back who Barca could need. 18-years-old and in the Jong Genk team, Onstein also spent 4 years in the Ajax setup and, just days ago, was close to joining Milan.
That was until Friday, when Barca declared interest and took hold of the player’s interest. While the 18-year-old will begin with Barca Atletic, it’s expected to not be long until he makes an appearance with the first team.
JJ Gabriel
While negotiations for a deal haven’t begun yet, Gabriel is the crown jewel of Manchester United’s academy setup. 10 goals in 13 matches in the U18 Premier League at just 15, and is an absolutely electric dribbler. He has the skill of a winger and the finishing ability of a striker, a rarity at his age.
While United wouldn’t be prepared to let him go for cheap, I believe it’s worth it for Barca to take a gamble on the English talent. Because of his Irish citizenship, he would be eligible for a move abroad by his sixteenth birthday in October, so the Blaugrana may have to wait a year for the move to happen.
Gabriel could end up as the long-term solution to the striker problem, and he certainly has the potential to be a world star. Follow the development of this one carefully.
Those are four youngsters Barcelona are close to signing, and one megatalent they’re looking to poach. Despite Barcelona’s limited coffers in the transfer window, Deco can still make deals happen, and he’s looking all over Europe.