Reports from Mundo Deportivo and SPORT in Catalonia suggest that FC Barcelona might have signed a potentially world class defender for a bargain price.

Fabrizio Romano tweeted five weeks ago that Barca were closing in on "top talented centre back" Mikayil Faye from NK Kustosija in Croatia in a deal worth €5 million ($5.6 million) fee plus add-ons.

These reports proved to be accurate, with the Catalans announcing the transfer eight days later. Faye signed a contract that runs until mid-2027 and contains a €400 million ($449 million) release clause.

The Senaglese defender was assigned to the reserve outfit known as Barca Atletic, yet along with Marc Casado, Estanis Pedrola, Fermin Lopez, Angel Alarcon and Unai, the 19-year-old has joined the stars of the first team to begin preseason training under the orders of Xavi Hernandez last Monday.

It is early days of course, with the leap from what was formerly known as the B team to the senior squad incredibly difficult to make, but there are indicators that Barca fans should be excited about potentially having a world class defender on their hands in Faye.

As reported by Mundo Deportivo, Faye has already impressed and surprised through his physical strength, power and aerial prowess.

The paper added that he "he must work [on] tactical, technical and positional aspects", but this was also true of Ronald Araujo when he similarly joined the B team in 2018 on a snip fee of €4.7 million ($5.3 million) from Boston River in his native Uruguay.

Boxing himself away to improve his game, Araujo has risen to become arguably the best defender on the planet and a fan favorite touted as a future captain.

At the turn of this week, MD's rival SPORT added to gushing reports about Faye, explaining that Xavi has already had him partner Araujo in "many training sessions" - a further communicator of highly he is rated - with their rapport "positive".

Perhaps Faye is already grafting behind the scenes on what he could be better at, because SPORT noted that he is now "standing out for his good handling of the ball", which fits in with Xavi's philosophy and style of play.

Simultaneously, his powerful physical conditions, which make him strong in the tackle and in the air, were also complimented.

The fact that Faye was picked up from a team in the Croatian third tier caused Barca's detractors plus cynical fans and onlookers to scoff at Faye's capture.

But one other interesting caveat that puts him in good stead to reach the top is the fact that he was once coached by Samir Toplak.

Toplak said that that Faye is one of the two best players he has overseen at youth level, with the other Croatia's World Cup semi-finalist Josko Gvardiol.

A breakout star at Qatar 2022, Gvardiol has caught the eye of a number of top string clubs including Manchester City and is tipped to reach the elite in the coming seasons.

As for Faye, his seat on the plane to the United States this week, for the first team's preseason tour there, is secure.

He is scheduled to return to Barca Atletic upon return, but with how he is progressing, it woudn't be a surprise if he forms part of the Blaugrana's defense of the La Liga crown in 2023/2024.