The message to Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea could hardly be more clear; if you want to sign one of the finest defensive talents around, then you must qualify for the Champions League.
Of course, when it comes to Arsenal, one suspects Mikel Arteta’s side may have quite the advantage over their London neighbours.
With The Gunners expected to chase Manchester City down to the wire again in 2025, a top-four finish feels almost written in stone. The same cannot be said of either Tottenham or Chelsea, however, even if both clubs have made impressive progress of late under Ange Postecoglou and Enzo Maresca respectively.
TBR understands that the Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea are all in the race to sign Palmeiras wonderkid Vitor Reis. Manchester City are interested too, alongside European powerhouses Bayer Leverkusen, AC Milan and Juventus.
But according to agent Claudio Fiorito, CEO of P&P Sport Management Brasil, any club capable of putting Champions League football on the table is likely to be a pretty popular destination for the 18-year-old Reis.
Agent gives Arsenal a boost in race for Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis
“We try to work on this in a very natural way, also because of the athlete’s anxiety, so that it doesn’t interfere with his day-to-day life. So that he can always stay focused,” Fiorito explains to CNN.
“Vitor has a dream of playing in the Champions League and we will work to make this happen somehow.
“I think he has already planted this [idea in his head] in the last few years, and the results are starting to appear.”
TBR have been told that Arsenal have been following Vitor Reis very closely in recent months.
Jakub Kiwior will be allowed to leave the Emirates in 2025 – the Pole’s reputation diminished further by his error in the 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth – opening the door for Arsenal to replenish their backline with the Brazil Under 17 international.
Arsenal are scouting Valencia’s Cristhian Mosquera and Nantes’ Nathan Zeze too.
And, as far as Reis’ camp are concerned, it is nothing short of ‘inevitable’ that the teenage powerhouse will be boarding a flight across the Atlantic at some point in the near future.
It is inevitable that Vitor will have this experience of European football,” Fiorito adds. “The time, the values and the way in which this will be constructed, we will deal with it together, in unity with Palmeiras.
“[Reis’ exit must be] a natural process that is good for everyone.
“The player’s dream and desire must be respected. We have the responsibility to find the balance between one proposal or one possibility and another, so that he and his family can decide what his future holds.
“At the end of the day, he is the one who will play. I think all [footballers] have the right to make their dreams come true, whether it is playing in the Champions League or having a financial need.
“In the end, we always work to make this a reality.”
TBR has heard that, while Palmeiras are in no rush to sell, it is not out of the question that a deal could be agreed for Reis as early as January.
Joao Paulo Sampaio, the head of Palmeiras’ academy, believes that any sale is likely to be delayed until after next summer’s revamped Club World Cup, however.
The Palmeiras chief is backing Vitor Reis to become Brazil’s ‘the most expensive defender’. His eventual transfer fee could total around £30 million.
“In the end, we always work to make this a reality.”
TBR has heard that, while Palmeiras are in no rush to sell, it is not out of the question that a deal could be agreed for Reis as early as January.
Joao Paulo Sampaio, the head of Palmeiras’ academy, believes that any sale is likely to be delayed until after next summer’s revamped Club World Cup, however.
The Palmeiras chief is backing Vitor Reis to become Brazil’s ‘the most expensive defender’. His eventual transfer fee could total around £30 million.
