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Barcelona should hijack Real Madrid’s deal for Éder Militão

By Chiranjib Ghosh

PORTO, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 06: Eder Militao of FC Porto looks on prior to the Group D match of the UEFA Champions League between FC Porto and FC Lokomotiv Moscow at Estadio do Dragao on November 6, 2018 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
PORTO, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 06: Eder Militao of FC Porto looks on prior to the Group D match of the UEFA Champions League between FC Porto and FC Lokomotiv Moscow at Estadio do Dragao on November 6, 2018 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Éder Militão is an interesting prospect for Barcelona

After two lacklustre performances, Jeison Murillo really needs to step it up if he wants to fulfill his dream of remaining at Barcelona after the end of the season. In the meantime, the club should weigh up alternatives to the supremely expensive Matthijs de Ligt.

Éder Militão has emerged as one of the finest young defenders since joining Porto São Paulo last summer. After replacing Iván Marcano in the first-team squad, the 21-year old Brazilian centre-back has become a very important member of the first-team.

Militão has made 25 appearances in all competitions this season, and has been excellent. He has shown that he is the complete defender, with good tackling, interception and blocking skills. He also has the Brazilian attacking flair, and is a threat from set-pieces.

The youngster is in demand across Europe, with Real Madrid and Manchester United fighting it out for Militão, with Liverpool also interested. The Galácticos are close to sealing the deal, but Barcelona should hijack the deal, just like they did with Malcom.

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Éric Abidal can make use of the fact that Militão will be mostly restricted to the bench at the Santiago Bernabéu. Sergio Ramos and Raphaël Varane are two of the best centre-backs in the world, and Ramos has shown no signs of decline with his age.

Moreover, Ramos already has a successor in the first-team squad in academy graduate Jesús Vallejo. However, Militão will have an opportunity to feature in the Barcelona first-team in the future, with Gerard Piqué set to retire in the coming years.

The club should swoop in immediately for Militão, and negotiate a contract with his representatives over a summer move, bypassing Real Madrid in the process. Militão’s release clause is set at €50 million, lesser than Ajax’s €70 million asking price for Matthijs de Ligt.

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Éder Militão has the potential to become one of the best centre-backs in the world, and his skill-set fits the required profile. Barcelona should go in for him before he strengthens the club’s fiercest rival. In the process, Éric Abidal can also hone his hijacking skills.