Barcelona Transfer News: Gerson to Join in January, Latest Paul Pogba Rumours

Fluminense midfielder Gerson will join Barcelona once the club's transfer ban concludes in January, according to his father, Marcao.

As reported by Mundo Deportivo (h/t Stefan Coerts of Goal), Gerson has turned down the advances of Juventus, Manchester City and Atletico Madrid, prioritising a move to Camp Nou.

Barca paid €3 million (£2.1 million) to have the first option on the powerful youngster in June, per Joaqium Piera of Sport, and they will make good on their obvious willingness to sign him.

"Gerson will be staying with Fluminense for now and then join Barcelona in January," said the player's father, per Mundo Deportivo (h/t Coerts). "We appreciate the interest of other teams, because it is a sign that Gerson is doing well, but we have taken our decision."

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Marcao continued:

"

He wants to play for Barcelona. That has always been his dream. Barcelona are the perfect club for him to grow. Gerson is ready to challenge for a first-team spot, but he is in no rush. He still has plenty of room for improvement. He will be one of the best players in the world in two years' time.

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At 18 years old, Gerson possesses formidable physical attributes and is someone who loves to stride into attacking-midfield positions to make a goalscoring difference.

His frame is often compared to that of Juventus' Paul Pogba, a player who has developed into a well-rounded midfield behemoth.

"Everybody says that he has the same characteristics as Pogba, but I don't think he is as strong as the Frenchman," noted Marcao, per Coerts. "But he has great positional sense and his technique is a bit like [Andres] Iniesta, who is his idol."

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Pogba's name continues to be linked with Barca in the build up to the club's presidential election, which is set to take place on July 18. Current chief Josep Maria Bartomeu previously admitted the Blaugrana "will not buy Pogba this year," reported by Tom Adams of Eurosport. Just a month earlier, Bartomeu outlined the player as a "leading target" during an interview with Telefoot (h/t ESPN).

Sport previously confirmed Bartomeu is leading the election, so his word could be absolute.

However, rival candidate Joan Laporta has suggested he will snap Pogba up if he emerges victorious when the votes have been counted.

Marca notes Bartomeu is "suddenly claiming" coach Luis Enrique doesn't want to sign Pogba, words potentially given credence by Barca's recent capture of versatile midfielder Arda Turan.

Laporta recently suggested his contact with Pogba's agent, Mino Raiola, is "key" to the player's arrival, reported by Saj Chowdhury of BBC Sport.

Gerson could provide an interesting middle ground. Enrique likes his players to work quickly with the ball and graft without it. Pogba would naturally bring this combativeness and could slot straight into the first team. Gerson will need to work extremely hard to establish himself in Europe if he's to do the same.

A spell with Barca B may do him good if he does arrive, as Enrique currently has Arda, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic, among others, to deploy in midfield. Gerson's willingness to get involved can be seen below:

Bartomeu may be hoping to distance himself from Laporta's desire to sign Pogba until the election is over. He can quickly change his mind if an extension to his tenure is guaranteed. It would be exciting to see Gerson arrive as well in this theoretical scenario.

A range of battle-ready, goalscoring options are needed in midfield for Barca to maintain their success.

Last season's treble came ahead of schedule for a team whose progress has been stunted by FIFA's transfer ban. Coert's report suggests it will be Gerson, and not Pogba, who will provide the major growth spurt once the restrictions lift.