Barcelona 'watching Rodrigo Caio ahead of potential move'

Barcelona are reportedly eyeing a swoop for Flamengo defender Rodrigo Caio.

The 26-year-old came through the youth system at Sao Paulo and went on to make close to 300 league appearances for the club ahead of a switch to Flamengo in the later stages of 2018.

Caio has helped his current club reach the final of the Copa Libertadores, which will take place against River Plate on November 23.

According to Marca, Barca's sporting director Eric Abidal has sent scouts to watch the centre-back on a number of occasions and favourable reports have been returned to the management.

The report claims that Flamengo will demand in excess of £25.8m for the Brazil international, though, as there is also interest from the likes of Leicester City.

Barca are currently short of experienced options in central defence with Samuel Umtiti, who was linked with a move away over the summer, struggling to overcome a troublesome knee injury.