How Barcelona could secure two potential future stars after Santos transfer row

Barcelona have emerged as the victors of a massive transfer row. Following a difficult summer, it appears that the Spanish giants are attracting talent once more.

Los Cules have struggled in recent times due to their financial issues. They have to operate within the grounds of a €97 million spending cap imposed on them by La Liga.

Barca have recovered somewhat thanks to a €525million Goldman Sachs loan secured by president Joan Laporta. That at least allows them to pay the fees for two players, but the issue remains the salary cap.

Read: How Barcelona used their Yusuf Demir deal to help with player registration issues

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This January transfer window, they have secured the signature of top-rated striker Ferran Torres, whilst the contract of club legend Dani Alves has officially come into place.

However, they still had the hurdle of registration fees to overcome. So to get past this, they have let go of some of their squad, including the gifted Yusuf Demir. The Austrian had his loan deal terminated one game before his mandatory €8.3 million release clause kicked in.

This tactic is working well in Barca’s favour. Despite their struggles, they’re still making big moves in the January market. And following a debacle involving Brazilian giants Santos, they will have the first opportunity to bag two more exciting prospects in the future.

Barcelona and Santos transfer row

In 2013, Barcelona and Santos did a massive piece of transfer business which introduced the sublimely-gifted Neymar to La Liga.

According to Spanish news outlet Sport, Los Cules paid a fee of €7.9 million for preferential purchase options on three players following the Neymar deal, including young forward Gabriel Barbosa. At the time, ‘Gabigol’ was considered one of world football’s biggest prospects.

Three years later, the Brazilian giants sold the forward to Inter Milan for a fee of around €30 million. Barcelona were furious.

They complained to FIFA, who demanded that Santos pay €3 million. However, the Brazilian club proposed that Barca have first option rights on two of their most significant prospects, which in the future will likely work out as the far better option for the Blaugrana side.

They now have purchase options on young Santos stars Kaiky Fernandes, 18, and Angelo, 17.

Who are Kaiky Fernandes and Angelo?

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Kaiky Fernandes is a solid defender capable of getting stuck into challenges without fear. The potential future captain has all the ability to cause opposition attackers nightmares. He’s almost guaranteed to secure his place as a first-team player in the future.

However, young winger Angelo is also an exciting prospect. He is quick, dynamic and supremely skilled. His ability on the ball is almost unmatched in the Brazilian league. The teenage winger bamboozles defenders with ease, and should he continue to develop at the rate he is now, then he has a very exciting future ahead.

Of course, Real Madrid have experienced great success in the Brazilian domestic market in recent seasons. Vinicius Junior has become a key player, whilst Rodrygo is now beginning to establish himself in the first-team. Barca will be hoping that there will be a time when they can activate their first option deal for two more Brazilian talents and help them to develop at the Nou Camp fully.

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