Barcelona close to signing teenage Brazilian defender and under-20 captain Vitao from Palmeiras  

Barcelona are closing in on the signing of 19-year-old Brazilian centre-half Vitao from Palmeiras.

The player and his representatives are in Barcelona to put the finishing touches to a deal that is close to being confirmed.

Vitao will initially play for Barcelona’s B team or be loaned out to gain experience of football in Europe but is certainly regarded as a future first-team player.

Barcelona are close to signing 19-year-old Brazil defender Vitao from Palmeiras 

Vitao was captain of the Brazil side that played England in the semi-finals of the 2017 Under-17 World Cup in India 

The teenager, who can either play centre-half or defensive midfield, is captain of the Brazil under-20 team and previously played 24 times for the nation’s under-17 side.

He captained the Brazil side that lost to eventual winners England in the semi-finals of the Under-17 World Cup in 2017. They ultimately took third place in the tournament in India.

Vitao also won the Under-17 South American Championship in that same year.

Andre Curry, who is one of Barcelona’s main scouts in Brazil, was instrumental in the signing.