Luis Benedetti: Deco wants the new defensive 'pearl' of Palmeiras in Barcelona

The departure of Íñigo Martínez to Al-Nassr in this summer market, although it did not leave the FC Barcelona defense with few troops, it did turn out to be a scenario that would be causing the Blaugrana team to start probing South American football to cover the loss of the Basque player.

That is why, according to recent rumors, Deco, sports director of the Catalan team, would be delighted with the qualities of Luis Gustavo Benedetti, who is currently a player for Palmeiras, being a teammate of the former Barça player, Vítor Roque.

And, in fact, scouts from several European clubs have closely followed the promising figure of Palmeiras since his first steps in professional football, and their reports would be more than positive.

Likewise, the 19-year-old defender has made a pleasant impression with his performances since he broke into the elite. In addition to managing to establish himself in one of the biggest clubs in the Brasileirao, it makes him worthy of special attention.

But... When will Barça launch for his signing?

In this sense, Deco would have already started contacts with the central defender native of Bauru. Although this does not mean that, if an agreement is reached, the player will arrive in this transfer window.

If the alleged negotiations come to fruition, the player could join in winter or the next summer transfer market. The defender, thanks to his age, could be registered with a subsidiary card.

Also, for now, Luis Gustavo Benedetti has a more than affordable price. And, according to Transfermarkt, the central defender has a price of only 500,000 euros. Despite this, it remains to be seen how much the 'verdao' demands for the player who has a contract until 2029.

The '43' of Palmeiras stands out for having a good physique valid to win in 1 against 1, in addition to a respectable ball output, thanks to having a good left foot.

Luis Gustavo Benedetti, a central defender with great projection

In this order of ideas, in Palmeiras they see the defender as a 'pearl' from which they can soon benefit. For the moment, the '43' has managed to participate in 11 matches with the first team in the 2024/25 season, managing to score 1 goal.

Although Barça has Pau Cubarsí, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen and Eric García in its squad for the defensive zone, a possible arrival of Benedetti to Camp Barça could end up pushing the Dane to the exit door, who ends his contract in 2026 and for now has not been offered to extend his link as a Blaugrana.

It remains to be seen what the apparent contacts of Deco with Luis Gustavo Benedetti will end up in, who is already starting to receive European interest. What do you think Barça will do?