Barcelona Transfer News: Matheus Pereira Fight Expected Amid Real Madrid Rumours

Barcelona have reportedly entered the race to sign Corinthians playmaker Matheus Pereira, with Real Madrid and Juventus also interested in the 18-year-old. 

According to Italian outlet Tuttosport (via Sports News Ireland's Ken Higgins), Juve previously had an agreement in place with Corinthians to sign the young star, but it is reportedly "not signed and sealed" and Real and Barca are circling.

The report added that Pereira "could cost in the region of €2 million (£1.6 million)," and all three interested parties are planning to loan him out initially if they can sign him up.

Per Tuttosport (via Football Italia), Barca and Real's pursuit of Pereira could drive his price up, which may in turn lead Juve to "decide the player is no longer worth the investment."

Thus it could come down to a straight fight between the two La Liga giants for Pereira's signature. 

He certainly seems to have the skill set to be a Barcelona player. The left-footed forward is most comfortable playing in the No. 10 role, but he can also operate slightly deeper or on the left wing.

See some of his recent highlights below:

Given the current strength of Barca's attack—with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar all but irreplaceable—Pereira would be unlikely to break into the Blaugrana first team any time soon.

However, Barca are always planning for the future and have moulded many great young players in recent times—including Neymar, Pereira's compatriot.

Pereira has moved through the Corinthians youth ranks and made his first-team debut for the Brazilian club in the summer of 2015.

He has represented Brazil at U17 level and certainly looks to have the potential to become a star, although he will undoubtedly take time to adapt to European football. 

He could get that experience away from Barca as a loanee and return when the club feels he is ready to make the step up to the Camp Nou first team.

It is also a potential trajectory he could follow if he signed for Real, but Barca's history of developing young players effectively may well prove the key in the battle for Pereira's signature.