Arsenal join Liverpool and Real Madrid in race for next Brazilian ‘wonderkid’, Edu has sent scouts

Arsenal have entered the race to sign a highly-rated young Brazilian talent. 

Despite the transfer window having just closed, Arsenal are already looking ahead to future deals they may conduct and planning the next evolutions of their squad.

The Gunners have strong contacts in South America. Sporting director Edu Gaspar is a former Brazil international, and worked for Corinthians before taking up his current post in North London.

Edu has made use of these connection before, bringing the likes of Marquinhos to the Emirates Stadium, where there is already a significant Brazilian contingent, with Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Gabriel Martinelli all in the first team squad.

The Gunners are now keen to add to their collection of Brazilian talents.

Arsenal in race to sign Vitor Reis

According to Caught Offside, Arsenal are keen to sign Palmeiras “wonderkid” Vitor Reis.

However, they will face competition from Liverpool, Barcelona, and Real Madrid for the 18-year-old defender’s signature.

All four clubs, and Benfica, have dispatched scouts to watch the teenager in action in recent games. The young centre-back has huge potential, is physically already well-developed, and plays with maturity beyond his years.

It is rare for a centre-back to come to prominence so young, but Mikel Arteta has already shown a willingness to invest his faith in youthful defenders. William Saliba is a lynchpin at the back for Arsenal at 23-years-old, and has been for the past two seasons.

On top of that, Arsenal signed both Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori when they were just 22-years-old.

Of course, Reis is still significantly younger than this trio, but if he were to be identified as one for the future by Arsenal now, he may not have to wait too long before being given a chance to prove his quality for the first team.

This may convince Reis that a switch to the Emirates Stadium, despite the attractive alternatives, is the right move for him to make at this nascent stage in his career.

Who is Arsenal transfer target Vitor Reis?

The Brazil under-17 international broke into the Palmeiras first team this year, having been in the club’s academy system since the age of ten, coming up through the ranks alongside Endrick, who is now plying his trade for Real Madrid.

At 6’1”, Reis can hold his own in the air, and has shown ability to compete in duels against players many years his senior.

Arsenal’s scouts will deliver their reports to Edu and Arteta, who will then decide how hard to push for the starlet’s signature, conscious of the fact that they face stiff competition for his services.

Edu has impressed at the negotiation table recently though, and given his Brazilian heritage he may well back himself to win this race for the wonderkid.