Manchester City have signed Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis for £29.6 million.
Reis, who represented Brazil U17, has made 18 league appearances for Palmeiras since joining the club through the club's academy.
Sky Sports News reported that a number of clubs – including Brighton – had gathered information about the 19-year-old.
Palmeiras has always been relaxed about the situation after selling a host of talents to Europe for big sums over the past 18 months, including Endrick to Real Madrid and Willian Estevao to Chelsea.
Reis says he signed for City because he wanted to play under Pep Guardiola.
He said: “I'm excited to join Manchester City, one of the biggest clubs in the world. Everyone has seen the great performances of recent seasons and I want to make my mark as we look for more trophies.”
“Working with Pep Guardiola is something that every young player wants to do and I know he can help me develop into the best player I can be.
“City also has a lot of experience working with Brazilian footballers and bringing players like Ederson and Savinho into the squad will be a big help for me.”
Football director Txiki Begiristain added: “Vitor Reis is one of the most promising young defenders in the world and we are pleased to have brought him here.
“In his short time in senior football in Brazil he has shown he has the ability to go very far in the game and we know that working with Pep and our coaches will help get the best out of him.
“He is excellent on the ball and excellent in the air – he has all the qualities needed to be one of the best. Vitor is very young, but his quality is so high that we think he can help us now and for the long term can help.” to the future.”
Travel 'not yet Premier League ready'
South American football expert Tim Vickery told Sky Sports News:
“This is City hitting the reset button. They've seen three things they really like about this player.
“You see the influence of Marquinhos and Thiago Silva; that is the central defender he wants to be. Stylish on the ball, with his head up and can play at the back.”
“Defensively versatile, he can operate in the back three or four positions. Happier on the right, but has played on the left. The other thing is leadership qualities and those are the things that City have identified.”
“I don't think he's anywhere near the Premier League at the moment. He's got class but he needs to supplement physically. If you put him in the Premier League at the moment he'd be really bullied.”
Marmoush is undergoing city medical treatment
Meanwhile, Omar Marmoush will undergo medical treatment at City on Tuesday and the Eintracht Frankfurt striker will sign a contract until 2030.
Marmoush, who can operate in the front three, has scored 15 goals in the Bundesliga this season, just one behind Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, who tops the table with 16 goals.
Comments