Fabrizio Romano says Barcelona cannot afford £22m bid for Liverpool target

As the 18-year-old garners attention from Europe, the inability of Barcelona to afford adolescent prodigy Gabriel Moscardo will inspire confidence in Chelsea and Liverpool.

Emmanuel Luiz, a Brazilian journalist, reported on Thursday that Liverpool is contemplating three South American players, including the Corinthians midfielder.

The other two candidates are Andre Trindade and Federico Redondo, but Chelsea are the current frontrunners to acquire him.

On August 31st, Fabrizio Romano documented that Chelsea had submitted a “formal, official bid” amounting to €21 million (£18.4m). However, on Saturday evening, the Italian provided an updated status report on the matter via his YouTube channel.

“Keep an eye on Gabriel Moscardo, a gifted midfielder for Corinthians who was born in 2005 and is a very good player,” Romano writes.

“Chelsea’s verbal offer for him was rejected at the conclusion of August.”

“Now, according to what I’ve heard, notwithstanding numerous rumors concerning Barcelona, they are unable to pay Corinthians €25 million [£22 million], including add-ons, for Moscardo due to financial fair play regulations; it would be excessive and thus the transaction is complicated.

“Barca holds him in the highest regard, but they are unwilling to invest that amount of money in January.”

“January is the target month for Moscardo’s transfer, not the summer, according to information I’ve received. To depart Corinthians in January, having attracted the interest of major Premier League clubs.

“Keep an eye on this young man in the Premier League.” While it presents a challenge for Barcelona, English clubs may find it an enormous opportunity.”

The £22 million required to acquire Moscardo is beyond the financial means of Barcelona. However, Liverpool and Chelsea, given their Premier League financial standings, are more capable of competing for his services.

The Reds require a new defensive midfielder, whereas the Blues, who added Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo this summer, hardly have a reason to acquire one.

Since assuming control from Roman Abramovich in 2022, Todd Boehly’s scattergun approach appears to defy logic on occasion.

Given his youth, Moscardo, despite being a young player of promise and aptitude, is improbable to be the transfer target that Liverpool is seeking.

Nevertheless, it is always advantageous to have adolescent athletes with tremendous potential ascending through the ranks.

Thiago Alcantara’s contract expires at the end of the current campaign, and while it’s unfortunate to see one of the generation’s most gifted players struggle to maintain fitness long enough to play for Klopp, he must be replaced.

Moscardo could serve as a long-term replacement for Fabinho, but Liverpool must acquire a more seasoned player to take his position following his summer transfer to Al-Ittihad.