Barcelona join growing race to sign Brazil defender Arthur Dias

Barcelona are monitoring Athletico Paranaense defender Arthur Dias after Joao Amaral, the club’s Portuguese head of scouting, watched the teenager at Arena da Baixada.

Amaral is a close assistant to Barcelona sporting director Deco, and his presence in Brazil underlines the increasing contact between the Catalan club and the player’s representatives.

According to Brazilian newspaper O Dia Esportes, Barcelona are now among a long list of clubs interested in signing the 19-year-old, who was recently called up to the Brazil squad.

Spanish newspaper AS reported last week that 10 other European clubs had already made enquiries about Arthur Dias’ situation.

Four of those clubs are from the Premier League: Brentford, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham. Atletico de Madrid, Atalanta, Como, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig are also understood to have asked about the defender.

Amaral’s trip to Brazil suggests Barcelona are preparing to compete for Arthur Dias, particularly with Tottenham also pursuing the player.

Athletico Paranaense rejected an £18m offer from Tottenham during the current transfer window. The proposal was for 80% of the player’s economic rights.

Arthur Dias’ profile has risen significantly after Carlo Ancelotti selected him for the Brazil squad as the national team began a new phase.

The defender has made 49 professional appearances so far and has scored once. His goal came in last week’s derby against Coritiba, shortly after his Brazil call-up.

He is under contract with Athletico Paranaense until December 2028, giving the club a strong position in any negotiations over his departure.

Club president Mario Celso Petraglia has already said Athletico Paranaense will not agree to sell Arthur Dias for less than £25.7m.

If a transfer reaches that figure, Arthur Dias would become the most expensive academy graduate ever sold by the club.

The current record is held by goalkeeper Bento, who moved from Athletico Paranaense to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in 2024 for £15.5m.

Athletico Paranaense hope the eventual fee for Arthur Dias will approach the sums involved in some of the biggest recent transfers of Brazilian defenders.

Vitor Reis joined Manchester City from Palmeiras for £30m, while Lucas Beraldo moved from Sao Paulo to Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 for £16m.

Another emerging player at Athletico Paranaense attracting attention is Colombian striker Kevin Viveros.

The number nine is the outright leading scorer in the 2026 Brazilian league, with 18 goals. He has also attracted interest from Aston Villa and Sunderland.