FC Barcelona Reportedly Turn Attention Back To Signing Brazilian Goalkeeper Ivan

FC Barcelona have turned their attention back to signing young Brazilian goalkeeper Ivan, according to SPORT.

Though regular shotstopper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is still just 28, and remains at the peak of his powers while rumored to be on the verge of signing another long-term contract, the Blaugrana have to look to the future beyond the German’s tenure.

Their search for an eventual successor has repeatedly brought them into the path of Brazil U23 ‘keeper Ivan, who in February was cited by Goal Brasil’s Bruno Andrade as a $5mn target for the La Liga giants.

Much has happened since then, of course, with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic causing many clubs worldwide to rethink their finances and lowering their aspirations and demands with regards to transfers.

Ivan’s current employers Ponte Preta – based in the city of Campinas just under 60 miles northwest of São Paulo – are no different, and have now been forced to reduce their asking price to a mere five million reais ($930,000).

This has put domestic giants including Flamengo, Palmeiras and Corinthians on alert. Yet Barça can take further advantage of the Brazilian currency’s weakness against the Euro, and therefore capture a budding talent tipped by senior national team goalkeeping coach and USA ‘94 legend Taffarel to become one of the greats.

Had the world had a chance to see Ivan in action at this year’s postponed summer Olympics in Tokyo, there may have been further competition in the market for a player with three-and-a-half years still left to run on his contract.

But even if the Catalans pull this off and part with a measly sum it is worth taking a risk with, the fact that the 23-year-old does not boast a European passport like many Brazilians with Spanish, Portuguese and Italian ancestry means that a non-EU spots dilemma in the squad must be resolved.

Granted Arthur will leave to Juventus to free up at least one, there is meanwhile interest in other South American stars such as Ivan’s compatriots Neymar, Gustavo Maia, and Lionel Messi’s Argentina teammate Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan.

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