RIO DE JANEIRO, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Barcelona have paid three million euros for the option to buy Brazilian starlet Gerson, according to media reports.

Gerson's agent, Jorge Machado, said on Monday that the agreement paved the way for the 18-year-old to join the Catalan club when their transfer ban ends in January.

"It's true that Barcelona have paid three million euros to have preference over Gerson's signing," Machado was quoted as saying by the Globo newspaper.

The attacking midfielder has impressed while playing for Brazil's under-20 team and at club level for Fluminense.

His father, Marco Antonio da Silva, said the attacking midfielder's preference was to join Barcelona.

It is understood the Blaugrana are also keen to sign Gerson's Fluminense teammate Kenedy.