FC Barcelona are set to sign German wonderkid Noah Darvich according to transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano, who described the 16-year-old as a 'top talent'.

In doing so, Barca would see off competition for his signature from top European rivals including Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Ajax who have all registered interest in snatching the attacking midfielder away from Freiburg as reported by SPORT1's Christopher Michel.

Romano explains that Barca have a deal in place for the 2006-born prodigy, who is considered "one of the most interesting talents in his position".

Barca sources have also confirmed that the operation is done to Romano, though it is currently unclear what kind of money the cash-strapped Catalans will have to hand over to secure Darvich.

The left footer only signed his first official contract with Freiburg at the beginning of July, which expires on June 30, 2024.

Given his age, though, with Darvich not turning 17 until September, the fee should be relatively affordable and fit within Barca's economic capabilities.

Landing Darvich, who can play a number of positions in midfield and on the right wing too, is a huge coup for Barca.

While the La Liga champions can't compete for expensive, established stars with the likes of nouveau riche outfits such as PSG and Manchester City backed by the financial might of Qatar and Abu Dhabi, they have repeatedly demonstrated that free agents and youngsters still often have a preference to don Blaugrana.

Earlier this summer, ex-City skipper Ilkay Gundogan decided not to renew his contract at the Etihad despite a bigger salary offer.

Instead, the 32-year-old completed his 'dream move' to Catalonia and will form a partnership with Pedri in midfield before perhaps being one day being succeeded by his compatriot Darvich.

At the younger end of the transfer market, Barca managed to pip Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund to signing highly-rated Senegalese defender Mikayil Faye too, which was also confirmed by Romano.

Called up to train with the first team, partner Ronald Araujo in many sessions, and join the senior squad on their recent preseason tour of the U.S. where he debuted against AC Milan, Faye has indicated that Barca might have a potentially world class center back on their hands for a bargain €5 million ($5.5 million) fee plus add-ons.

Similar sums were parted with for both Araujo and Pedri, as Barca squandered club record amounts on the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann who all failed to make their mark.

With Araujo and Pedri already among the best of their trade, Faye and Darvich will hope to echo their trajectories and not those of the aforementioned expensive flop trio.

Previously expected to start the 2023/2024 season with SC Freiburg's reserve 'II' outfit, Darvich has picked up 20 caps for Germany's U15 and U17 national teams which have yielded a respectable return of six goals.