Barcelona to sign Gabriel Moscardo ahead of Chelsea

Barcelona are clear favourites to sign Corinthians wonderkid Gabriel Moscardo amid interest from Chelsea, according to Jorge Nicola.

The Blues were in negotiations with the South American giants earlier this summer and Moscardo recently confirmed that there was strong interest.

Mauricio Pochettino's side have continued to monitor his progress, but Nicola claims that the Blues have not made an official bid for the teenager.

They are not thinking of making one in the near future and the player also appears to fancy a move to the Catalan giants at the earliest possibility.

Barcelona are currently in a financial crisis and they seem unlikely to spend on Moscardo in January. They are focused on registering Vitor Roque.

They may, however, move for his services at the end of the campaign. Xavi is said to be keen on signing a young and emerging holding midfielder.

Moscardo is a defensive midfielder by trade. He is a good ball playing midfielder with a strong aerial presence and likes to engage in duels.