Barcelona eye permanent deal for defender Marlon

Rio de Janeiro, Oct 30: Catalan football giants Barcelona are set to secure Brazilian center-back Marlon on a permanent deal, according to media reports.

Marlon has impressed with the Barcelona B team since leaving Brazilian club Fluminense on a six-month loan in June, reports Xinhua.

A spate of injuries has prompted the Catalan club's head coach Luis Enrique to call up Marlon to the first-team squad.

The 21-year-old was an unused substitute in Barcelona's 1-0 home victory over Granada in La Liga on Saturday. He is also expected to be included in the Blaugrana squad for their trip to Manchester City in the Champions League in Tuesday.

Brazil's Lance news portal said the deal between Fluminense and Barcelona included a clause that allows the latter to secure Marlon on a permanent deal for two million euros ($2.19 million).