Barcelona are set to sign the next Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal
![Juventus' Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) taps hands with Atletico Madrid's Portuguese forward Joao Felix (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images) Juventus' Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) taps hands with Atletico Madrid's Portuguese forward Joao Felix (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/0c5f0b567a8c370ac9b69705560229aec3f1444724b59eca8ec256ff82a37ef7.jpg)
Barcelona prepare a grand signing for the future this summer
It is a well-known fact that the board at Barcelona is eager on landing a few big names this summer, however, Josep Maria Bartomeu and his team of officials have finally realised the importance of signing younger players as well.
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The last few seasons have seen the Blaugrana follow the concept that was set out by Real Madrid when the Whites only signed “Galacticos” and not promising young talents. Barca has been in the same boat as Real Madrid for the past few seasons as they have focused on signing big names such as Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele, Arturo Vidal, Arda Turan and so on.
Quique Setien has also raised the concern regarding the lack of youth in the senior squad as several of the starters are way past their prime including the likes of Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Arturo Vidal, and Ivan Rakitic.
Although fans may fear that the Blaugrana lacks young talents, however, that is certainly not the case since the club have Ronald Araujo, Jean-Clair Todibo, Carles Alena, Frenkie de Jong, Riqui Puig, and Alex Collado.
Josep Maria Bartomeu has considered the concern raised by Quique Setien and has lined up a 50 million euro transfer offer to sign a promising talent from Portugal, who has also been dubbed as the next Cristiano Ronaldo.
The next Cristiano Ronaldo that Barcelona are ready to bid for
The current La Liga leaders and Arsenal are prepared to battle it out for Joelson Fernandes of Sporting Lisbon. The Portuguese talent has come up the ranks at Sporting Lisbon like his idol Cristiano Ronaldo and is currently representing Portugal in the U-17 team.
Joelson Fernades has displayed tremendous potential at Sporting CP’s under 15 and under 17 -team, the 17-year-old winger has risen to prominence in Portugal and is wanted by several top-European clubs as well. The right-footed winger’s primary position is on the left-wing which facilitates the player’s movement to make dangerous runs down the spaces on the flank either dribbling with his quick skillful feet or sprinting down to cut into the opposition box and have a shot at goal like Cristiano Ronaldo would do in his younger days.
Fernandes can also be positioned as left-midfielder or a secondary striker, such is the versatility of the Sporting Lisbon man and the coaches at the club believe that the Portuguese could possibly give Ansu Fati a run for his money.
The signing of Joelson Fernandes would lead to immense competition between Ansu Fati and the Sporting man since both the young wingers share the same position.
Josep Maria Bartomeu is willing to pay a shocking 50 million euros for Sporting Lisbon to let go of their next Ronaldo. If Joelson is to sign for Barca this summer, an ideal option would be to send the player on loan at B division La Liga side or any other La Liga team for the young winger to get accustomed to the style of play in Spain.
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Would you want Barca to spend 50 million euros on a 17-year-old? What is your opinion? Is Bartomeu making the correct decision by signing Joelson to build a team for the future?