Frank Christian
Barcelona may have discovered their latest talent – and he’s only 16 years old.
The Spanish team is rekindling its interest in Portuguese winger Cardoso Varela, who is currently with Dinamo Zagreb.
After missing the opportunity to sign him earlier this year, Barca appears ready to make another attempt. And this time, they’re looking well into the future.
Varela was previously in talks with the Blaugrana last year, but the agreement did not materialize, leading him to sign with Dinamo Zagreb. Now, with a new contract keeping him in Croatia until 2030, Barcelona remains undeterred.
They have devised a new plan. According to various sources (via Fabrizio Romano), the club aims to bring Varela to Camp Nou by 2026.
Dinamo Zagreb talent Cardoso Varela is set to sign a new deal at Dinamo Zagreb shortly, extending his stay until June 2030.
Barcelona intends to resume conversations to secure Cardoso Varela in the summer of 2026. pic.twitter.com/i2IBin0udU
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 16, 2025
This isn’t a usual move for Barcelona, but in the realm of football transfers, unpredictability is the norm – unless it involves a last-second goal.
Cardoso Varela likened to Vinicius Jr for a specific reason
Despite his age, Varela has attracted attention from leading clubs across Europe. He has represented Portugal’s U-17 team 22 times and scored three goals.
His ability to play across the front lines, particularly his speed and skill on the left wing, has led to comparisons with Vinicius Jr and Jeremy Doku.
This is impressive recognition for a player who is still too young to drive in many places.
Reports suggest that Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, has already met with Varela’s agents. While Spanish outlets are being cautious, Croatian media appears to think a deal is nearer than it seems.
Recent updates indicate that Varela is on the verge of signing a new long-term contract with Dinamo Zagreb, while Barcelona plans a potential transfer in 2026.
Fans of Barca will be hoping this transfer comes to fruition. After all, identifying the next major star is a challenging task – especially when targeting players who are still completing their education.
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