RIO DE JANEIRO - Barcelona have reached a deal to sign highly rated Brazilian teenager Gabriel Novaes on loan from Sao Paulo, according to press reports.

The Catalan club secured the 19-year-old on an 18-month contract with an option to make the deal permanent, Globo Esporte said on Tuesday.

Novaes traveled to Spain early Wednesday to undergo a medical before Thursday's close of the winter transfer window.

He is expected to play the rest of the current season for the Barcelona B team but could be promoted to Ernesto Valverde's first-team squad next season.

The forward was a standout performer in Sao Paulo's U-20 Paulista Youth Cup triumph earlier this month, leading the tournament scoring with 10 goals.

Barcelona's La Liga rivals Sevilla were also interested in signing the forward, according to news reports.