Barcelona’s recruitment drive under Hansi Flick continues to focus on financial sustainability and long-term promise, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t keeping close tabs on the global market.
With Nico Williams edging closer to a move to Camp Nou and the club working hard to clear space in the wage bill, the Catalan giants are still looking for future stars to develop.
Barca have been scouting widely, especially in underutilised markets such as Asia, and recent reports confirmed they were one of several top European clubs monitoring one of Japan’s brightest young defenders.
However, they’ve now missed out — and it’s a Premier League side who have acted faster.
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly on the verge of signing highly-rated Kawasaki Frontale centre-back Kota Takai, according to TBR Football.
The 20-year-old has emerged as one of the best defensive prospects in Asia, with comparisons already being drawn to Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae.
Kota Takai helped guide Kawasaki Frontale to the AFC Champions League final, playing 90 minutes in a famous 3-2 semi-final win over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
His form throughout 2025 earned attention from Liverpool, Newcastle, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid — and indeed Barcelona, who scouted him multiple times over the past 18 months.
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However, it is Spurs who have acted swiftly, and a deal is now close, with Takai set to join Thomas Frank’s growing core of young defenders that includes Luka Vuskovic and Ashley Phillips.
Barcelona had hoped to lure Takai with the long-term vision of integrating him into their evolving back line, but their current financial strategy and a crowded defensive depth chart may have delayed any formal approach.
Takai has already racked up 78 senior appearances and is known for his aerial presence and excellent ball-playing ability.
He currently ranks first among all J-League defenders in pass completion into the final third and possession recovery.
This marks another example of Barca losing ground to Premier League clubs when it comes to securing emerging talent from outside Europe.
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