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According to 90min, Barcelona are leading Premier League side Chelsea in the race to sign 18-year-old Corinthians midfielder Gabriel Moscardo.

Chelsea tried to sign the midfielder in the summer but he opted to instead wait until the end of the calendar year to decide his future.

“There was a proposal from Chelsea months ago, but I talk a lot with my agent and my parents and they try to give me as little information as possible,” Moscardo said.

“They say there is not long until the end of the season, they tell me to dedicate myself and do well, and that at the end of the season, there will be good things.”

Ahead of the January transfer window, Chelsea still remain interested in signing the Brazilian midfielder but Barcelona are now reportedly leading the race for the 18 year old midfielder.

According to the report, Moscardo prefers a move to join Barcelona in January.

Barcelona see Moscardo as an ideal long-term replacement to Sergio Busquets, who left for Inter Miami during the summer.

Arsenal are also known to have watched Moscardo this season but are not yet believed to have advanced their interest.