Fabrizio Romano has just announced it on his X account: "Barcelona has closed a double agreement with Ibrahim 'Kaka' Diarra (18 by December) and Arouna Traoré (17).
Both come from the Academie Africa Foot in Mali to join the Barça Academy. Both African talents are travelling to Barcelona today."
This is a clear commitment to the future by Deco in his interest in building a solid Barça with a great future.
Barça Bets on the African Market
Another option is to do business with them with a future transfer. It happened with Mika Faye who, after a year at the reserve team, earned a transfer to Rennes for 10.5 million euros. Barça does not rule out that possibility.
Barça is firmly committed to the African market, as was made clear this summer with the transfers of David Odurio and Aziz Issah. Both arrived from Ghana and play for the reserve team.
Diarra and Traoré belonged to the African Foot Academy in Mali and will join FC Barcelona this afternoon.
Diarra Cost 1.7 Million Euros
With Diarra, Barça will have to wait until he turns 18 in January. Until then, he will be limited to training with the group. Still, the plans for him include incorporating him into the reserve team from now on.
Diarra, who plays as a forward, cost Barça 1.7 million euros, although only 190,000 of that went to CPF Africa Foot.
On paper, the "good" one is Diarra. The other transfer, Arouna Traoré, from Mali, is only 17 years old and arrives on trial at Barça Atlétic. He plays as a center-forward, although he adapts to the position of both wingers.
Traoré has been an international for the Under-20s. Last season he scored 8 goals and 3 assists in Mali's Ligue 2.
Lille was interested in signing him before Barça, but both players were very excited to be part of a big European club that is also known for trusting young players.
Two new players to strengthen the reserve team, aiming for the first team.