La Liga giants Barcelona are keeping tabs on Almeria's teenage defender Kaiky Fernandes, according to a report.

The 18-year-old began his career in his native Brazil with Santos where he made 55 senior appearances in all competitions, including his debut at the age of 16 in February 2020.

The 6ft 2in centre-back was then snapped up by newly-promoted Saudi-backed side Almeria for around €7m (£6.1m) over the summer, and he has featured in eight La Liga matches so far this season.

Kaiky's most recent outing for the Indalicos came against Barcelona last weekend, with the Catalan giants securing a 2-0 win at Camp Nou in what was Gerard Pique's final game for the club.

According to Sport, Barca had first refusal on Kaiky when he was at Santos, and club chiefs met with the teenager's agents in Miami while they were on their pre-season tour of the United States.

The report adds that Barca were keen to negotiate another purchase option with a fixed price after Kaiky had agreed to join Almeria, but the Indalicos were not prepared to accept the Catalan club's terms.

Xavi's side are now said to be closely monitoring the Brazilian's progress at Almeria and they believe he has a number of attributes that fit the profile of a centre-back the club are looking for in the market.

Indeed, Xavi has already suggested that Barcelona will attempt to sign a new centre-back in the winter window following the announcement of Pique's imminent retirement.

Speaking to reporters after the win over Almeria, Xavi said: "We are going to see what happens. But knowing that Gerard is going, maybe we will look for a centre-back in January. We will analyse things after the Osasuna game."

Kaiky is not the only central defender believed to be on Barca's radar, as they have also identified Manchester City's Aymeric Laporte and Athletic Bilbao's Inigo Martinez as possible targets.

The latter of whom, however, insists he is 'happy' at the Basque-based outfit, telling Onda Vasca: "The [transfer speculation] is a bit tiring, but these are things that happen. I am happy here and I feel very comfortable. My future is still not clear at all.

"It is neither the time nor the place to talk about these issues of my renewal. I do not lose focus and I'm always giving my best for Athletic.

"I have a contract until the end of the season, I will fight and that is what God wants. I am very happy here, I come every day with a smile and I enjoy Bilbao. I feel loved."

Martinez, 31, is out of contract with Bilbao next summer, while Laporte, 28, will not see his deal at Man City expire until June 2025. body check tags ::