Flamengo sealed a berth in this season’s Copa Libertadores final after overcoming Gremio 5-0 in the second leg this week. They face River Plate in the final next month.
Since it was a big clash, Barcelona had officials present at the stadium.
A ‘Top Secret’ report from Mundo Deportivo claims technical secretary Eric Abidal and his assistant Ramon Planes travelled to Rio de Janeiro to watch the clash at the Maracanã.
The La Liga winners’ officials watched several players, but two of them ‘stood out above the rest’, Flamengo defender Rodrigo Caio and Gremio’s Everton Soares.
Caio joined Flamengo from São Paulo in December and prior to his move, he was a target for the Catalan club. They wanted him on loan for the second half of last season and he even underwent a medical at Barca, but no deal took shape.
Ernesto Valverde preferred to sign Jeison Murillo on loan from Valencia.
Ciao is now back on the radar and Abidal likes the centre-back, who also holds an Italian passport.
Barca need to strengthen the heart of the defence because of Gerard Piqué’s age (he’ll turn 33 in February), Samuel Umtiti’s long standing injury woes and Jean-Clair Todibo’s inexperience.
Regarding Everton, Mundo states the Spanish champions have monitored him in a ‘special way’ as they were already aware of his abilities following impressive performances in the Brazilian league and with the national team.
Everton prefers to play on the left and Barcelona already have Ousmane Dembélé and Carles Aleñá in the same position.
