BARCELONA TO OPEN NEGOTIATIONS FOR BRAZILIAN STARLET VINICIUS JUNIOR

The Blaugrana are hopeful of tying up a deal for one of South America's most highly-rated talents
Barcelona are preparing to open negotiations with Flamengo for young attacking prospect Vinicius Junior.

'I'm not joining Barca!' - Isco

Goal has exclusively learned that the company that deals with the player's image rights is already in Spain with the starlet's father, with both parties in the country to begin talks over a transfer to Camp Nou.

Vinicius is fast becoming a prodigy in his home country after being named the best player of the 2017 South American Under-17 Football Championship - which Brazil won - and has already been compared with countryman Neymar, leading to the Catalan club upping their efforts to land the rough gem.

Barcelona will not find a deal easy, however, as the 16-year-old is being closely monitored by several of Europe's elite clubs, including Real Madrid.