Barcelona head of scouting all but confirms interest in Brazilian defender: ‘Looking for a profile like his’
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FC Barcelona head of scouting Joao Amaral has outlined the club’s recruitment strategy as the Catalan side prepare for future squad reinforcements, particularly at centre-back.
During an interview with The Pitch Invaders (h/t SPORT), the Portuguese talent scout discussed the detailed profile Barça are targeting to strengthen their defence, identifying Arthur Dias as a player whose qualities closely match their requirements.
According to Amaral, the ideal defender must be comfortable playing in a high defensive line, possess the pace to recover and cover space in behind, and have the technical ability to play incisive passes under intense pressure.
The qualities Barcelona want in a centre-back
Amaral openly acknowledged the type of player Barcelona are seeking.
“We are working to identify profiles with these characteristics, such as those Arthur Dias possesses: a fast player with a great relationship with the ball. That is the profile of centre-back we are looking to find to strengthen the team,” he explained.
Dias, the 19-year-old Athletico Paranaense defender, has already represented Brazil at international level and continues to attract attention with his performances.
Barcelona are admirers of Arthur Dias. (Photo by Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images)
Barça have been linked with the teenage defender, and now Amaral has all but confirmed the club’s interest in signing him.
The Brazilian fits the profile the Blaugrana want for a defensive system that regularly leaves significant space behind the back line. Pace, composure in possession and the ability to make good decisions under pressure are key considerations in the club’s search.
A strong working relationship with Deco
Amaral also highlighted the close relationship between Barcelona’s scouting department and sporting director Deco, describing their personal and professional understanding as a major advantage in the recruitment process.
“Our personal and professional relationship is extremely strong. Deco makes the processes much simpler because of the person he is and his ability to build empathy within the club,” Amaral said.
Amaral also praised Deco for avoiding unnecessary obstacles during decision-making, allowing the recruitment department to work more efficiently.
This alignment is central to Barcelona’s efforts to identify suitable targets and ensure that recruitment decisions fit the club’s wider sporting strategy.
Flick’s approach to young players shapes recruitment
The scouting strategy also reflects first-team manager Hansi Flick’s willingness to trust young players, regardless of their age.
Flick continues to show faith in young talents at Barcelona. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)
Amaral praised the German coach’s approach, explaining that ability and performance matter more to him than a player’s age, as he said:
“Flick does not look at the players’ ages. He looks at their skills and abilities.”
The coach’s emphasis on young talent from La Masia has also influenced the profiles Barcelona seek to introduce into their academy.
The scouting department has deliberately looked for players with different attributes, including greater physical strength, direct running and the ability to attack space.
Big Data and live scouting remain central to the strategy
Amaral stressed that Barcelona must anticipate developments in the international transfer market rather than rely on players being recommended by agents.
The club combines its own Big Data filters with rigorous in-person scouting to identify potential targets before they become widely known.
He made the department’s philosophy clear, insisting that proactive recruitment is essential to its work.
“The day Barcelona gets to know a player because an agent has recommended him, we will have done our job badly,” Amaral concluded.