Barcelona eyeing South American defender as Inigo Martinez replacement

Dorothy Howard

Barcelona eyeing South American defender as Inigo Martinez replacement image

Barcelona lost veteran defender Inigo Martinez over the summer, as Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr made a move for the Spanish international. 

Hansi Flick has employed Alejandro Balde and Gerard Martin as his primary left-back, but the manager wants more coverage for the position. 

The Catalan side have identified a 19-year-old Brazilian star as a potential replacement for Martinez. 

Which youngster is Barcelona monitoring?

According to Mundo Deportivo, Flick is keeping a close eye on Palmeiras' defender Luiz Benedetti. 

The 19-year-old has also been identified as a target for Arsenal and Napoli, with the young Brazilian seen as a highly-rated prospect for European clubs. 

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Barcelona are keen on a move in January for the youngster, and the club are willing to pay €12m for the Benedetti. 

Palmeiras want €15m for the Brazilian, but either fee would be a good investment for Barcelona. 

Benedetti has shown the skill he has after making his debut for Palmeias' first-team earlier this season. 

The youngster has shown great composure for Palmeiras, and he's expected to play in Brazil's U-20 squad for the World Cup. 

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Dorothy Howard

Dorothy Howard is a freelance soccer writer for The Sporting News. Dorothy loves all things sports, especially soccer. She is unfortunately a hardcore Manchester United fan, but loves the USWNT. Since starting her career, she has published work for multiple sports sites, and is a trusted name in sports reporting.