Barca swoop for Juve starlet

Barcelona are reportedly on the verge of signing Brazilian midfielder Matheus Pereira from Juventus.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Matheus is “very close” to Barca, who are negotiating a swap deal with Juve.

The 21-year-old is currently on loan at Ligue 1 side Dijon but has made just six starts this season.

However, the former Brazil youth international impressed for the Bianconeri during preseason and he now looks set to link up with the Catalans’ B team.

Moving in the opposite direction, adds Sky, is 19-year-old striker Alejandro Marques.

Marques has failed to score in 11 appearances for Barca reserves this term but scored three goals in nine caps for Spain Under-17s.

Standing at just shy of 1.90m, the Venezuelan-born hitman seems ready to replace Han Kwang-song in Juve U23’s attack after the North Korean joined Al-Duhail.