Barcelona transfer news: Luis Enrique to swoop for the ‘next Neymar’ Vinicius Junior
La Liga giants have sent scouts to cast their eye over the Brazil Under-17s winger... but can't buy him for another two years
BARCELONA are leading the race to sign the 'next Neymar' Vinicius Junior.
The Brazil Under-17s winger has been attracting attention from a host of European giants, including Real Madrid, Arsenal and Chelsea.
However, Barcelona are in pole position to land the 16-year-old wonderkid, after Andre Cury - who helped bring Neymar and Douglas to the Nou Camp - made him transfer priority No1.
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One stumbling block is Junior's age, as he will not be allowed to join the club until he is 18 - in two years' time.
The reports coming in from Barcelona's scouting team in Brazil though are glowing - with the £26million buy-out clause apparently more than justified.
Quick with a dribble, accurate with a pass and with the ball at his feet, Junior has been described as 'the complete player'.
He is tearing it up in the South American Under-17 championship and is the tournament’s top scorer.
Vinicius stood out at the Copa Sao Paulo youth tournament, which has showcased the likes of Neymar, Oscar, Marquinhos, Casemiro, Lucas Moura, Ganso and Danilo in the past.
The youngster has even netted 17 times in just 18 games for Brazil's Under-17s side.
Barcelona are now set to land the winger, after Cury's glowing review, but has urged the Nou Camp side not to get ahead of themselves and break any transfer rules.
In fact, the club are so worried about missing out on their man in the future, they've employed Neymar to encourage the player to commit his future to Barca.
The pair have been exchanging messages on social media, with Barcelona club chiefs seeing that as a postive.
With Junior's contract running out in 2019, the La Liga outfit are confident of landing the Flamengo man as soon as he is old enough.
