According to Sport, Barcelona's scouting director João Amaral attended a match on Sunday to scout 19-year-old Brazilian center-back Arthur Dias, who currently plays for Athletico Paranaense.

Amaral took advantage of an event in São Paulo this week to travel to Curitiba and watch Arthur Dias play against Bahia, a club affiliated with the City Football Group. Like other key targets on the watchlist, Deco also wants to personally monitor this player. Barcelona scouts have given Arthur Dias a high rating in their reports.

Despite his young age, Arthur Dias made his 50th appearance for Athletico Paranaense's first team on Sunday. His performance has attracted attention from Barcelona, as well as European clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, Benfica, and Como. He has also caught the eye of Carlo Ancelotti, who called him up to the Brazilian national team for upcoming international friendlies against Australia and India, marking the start of Brazil's new World Cup cycle.

Ancelotti's decision to call up the young player is unsurprising, as he is looking to refresh the squad following Brazil's previous World Cup disappointment. Brazil performed poorly at that tournament, and players like Neymar, Casemiro, and Danilo were unable to turn the tide. Ancelotti also called up two other promising center-backs: Vitor Reis (20), a former Girona player currently out of favor at Manchester City under Enzo Maresca, and Jair (21), a versatile two-footed defender expected to get more playing time at Nottingham Forest this season.

Scouting the left-footed center-back market

Arthur Dias possesses the characteristics Barcelona requires. He is left-footed, makes crisp short and long passes, is equally comfortable with both feet, and demonstrates leadership and personality. He previously captained Brazil's U-20 team, plays confidently, and has developed rapidly. However, he is not yet fully mature, particularly in defensive aggression and intensity—which is typical for his age. He fits the profile Barcelona's technical department favors.

The market for left-footed center-backs is overpriced due to a shortage of talent. For Barcelona, Flick's tactical system further limits the options. The club is considering acquiring young defenders at more affordable prices, allowing them to develop further, or even promoting them directly to the first team. Arthur Dias is one such candidate: he has already been called up to Brazil's senior national team and has made 50 appearances for Athletico Paranaense's first team. Athletico Paranaense has been a surprise package in the 2025 Brasileirão, currently in third place.

Deco and his team are weighing more options than just Arthur Dias. With the season underway, Barcelona has already begun planning for reinforcements, with particular focus on this position, with potential arrivals in the January transfer window or next summer.

Another option Deco is considering is signing an experienced center-back with a proven record. Cubarsí has benefited from the guidance of two top-level predecessors: Iñigo Martínez, fondly remembered for his time at Barcelona, and Aymeric Laporte from the Spanish national team. Last summer, Cubarsí won the World Cup with Laporte; this season, Laporte also nearly became his teammate at Barcelona.

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