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It was revealed that two out of three youth footballers from the "Santos" academy were given priority by the "Barcelona" club.
This summer, the Catalan team acquired the rising Brazilian superstar Neymar from "Peixe" for 57 million euros, and both teams also agreed to play two friendly matches. However, another part of the deal included "Barca" being given the rights to three players from the "Santos" youth academy.
It turns out that the attention of the Catalans was drawn to the seventeen-year-old forward Victor Andrade, a year younger Gabriel Barbosa, and another young footballer whose identity has not been disclosed yet. This information was confirmed by the president of "Santos," Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro, to the Brazilian sports television channel "Globesporte."
According to "El Mundo Deportivo," the scouts of the Catalan club noticed V. Andrade already last year, and the abilities of the young footballer impressed the coach of the Spanish champions, Tito Vilanova.
G. Barbosa is expected to soon sign a professional contract with "Santos." Among his peers, the sixteen-year-old has already earned the nickname "Gabigolo" and received recognition - his image rights were acquired by the sports and leisure goods industry giant, "Nike."
All three players, who were given priority by "Barcelona," are automatically "shielded" with hefty release clauses of 50 million euros each.
If any potential buyer would like to sign contracts with any of these three, "Barcelona" has the right to offer the same or better terms and thus retain the players for themselves.
