Barcelona eyeing South American defender as Inigo Martinez replacement

Barcelona lost veteran defender Inigo Martinez over the summer, as Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr made a move for the Spanish international. 

Hansi Flick has employed Alejandro Balde and Gerard Martin as his primary left-back, but the manager wants more coverage for the position. 

The Catalan side have identified a 19-year-old Brazilian star as a potential replacement for Martinez. 

Which youngster is Barcelona monitoring?

According to Mundo Deportivo, Flick is keeping a close eye on Palmeiras' defender Luiz Benedetti. 

The 19-year-old has also been identified as a target for Arsenal and Napoli, with the young Brazilian seen as a highly-rated prospect for European clubs. 

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Barcelona are keen on a move in January for the youngster, and the club are willing to pay €12m for the Benedetti. 

Palmeiras want €15m for the Brazilian, but either fee would be a good investment for Barcelona. 

Benedetti has shown the skill he has after making his debut for Palmeias' first-team earlier this season. 

The youngster has shown great composure for Palmeiras, and he's expected to play in Brazil's U-20 squad for the World Cup. 

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