Barcelona and Liverpool are fighting to sign 16-year-old Ivorian defensive starlet.
The youngster has made Europe take notice with his outstanding performance at the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, whose maturity and defensive awareness are way above his years.
With Atalanta and Marseille also in the hunt for his signature, he is alleged switch to a European giant is now a done deal.
Barcelona have a culture of bringing in African youngsters, recruits Ibrahim Diarra and Arouna Traoré among them, and view Mederic as another long-term prospect.
According to Africa Foot, the player is Obli Kouame Jean Mederic.
Obli Kouame Jean Mederic is the newest African star in the headlines, ahead of even finishing a European transfer, joining the ranks of the likes of Lamine Camara and Karim Konaté.
His display in Morocco has shown his sense of the game, athleticism, and technical ability—qualities that fit Barcelona’s culture of developing young center backs.
For Liverpool, the interest is well-timed. With Virgil van Dijk’s contract running out in the near future and renewal talks at a standstill, the Reds are looking to the future for defensive heroes.
Marseille and Atalanta, both known for developing youngsters, will be the favorites.
Atalanta’s record in developing defenders may appeal to Mederic, but Marseille’s close African connections might make them the favorite.
But the pull of Barcelona’s La Masia or the global fame of Liverpool might be the clincher.
With the fight for his signature heating up, the move that he makes next will be the clincher.
Will he be the next in line of his forebears – African superstars who flourished in Europe – or will the stress of a big-club transfer prove to be a little too soon?
One thing is for sure: his ability has already made him one of the most highly rated teens in world football.
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