Palmeiras discuss loan deal for Manchester City target Vitor Reis as formal proposal submitted for centre-back talent | OneFootball

Vitor Reis – the talented 18-year-old centre-back from Palmeiras – may be permitted a loan deal for the remainder of the season as part of a deal with Manchester City.

That is the latest line of reporting surrounding the Premier League champions’ chase of the Brazil youth international, in a fast-developing situation that has led to Manchester City targeting the player as an immediate first-team signing.

However, despite media reports in both Europe and South America, Palmeiras’ president spoke publicly on the case in which he insisted that not only were the club firm on retaining Vitor Reis until after the FIFA Club World Cup, but that had also not received any “official proposals”.

“Several European clubs are interested,” club president Leila Pereira Pereira told The Athletic on Friday afternoon. “At the moment there are only soundings from clubs… no official proposal. He has a contract.”

However, it was clarified, “If there is an interesting offer for Palmeiras and the player, we will sit down and talk. “I want to say the information coming out is not correct. Palmeiras is in no hurry to sell. There is an extremely important tournament for Palmeiras and we need Vitor.”

But since the emergence of those comments, there have been further changes to the picture involving Manchester City, who have taken steps to appease all involved and ensure they do not squander their chance of reaching an agreement in its entirety.

That is according to the information of Fabrizio Romano, who reports that Manchester City have now presented a formal proposal to Palmeiras for the 18-year-old defensive talent in Vitor Reis – who is being targeted in addition to Lens’ Abdukodir Khusanov.

It is explained that Vitor Reis has already agreed personal terms with the Premier League champions and the deal is now seeing the two clubs involved locked in discussions over the possibility of the player remaining on loan at Palmeiras until July 2025.

For now, Manchester City fans will have to settle for the word that is being discussed in the media, with manager Pep Guardiola not in any frame of mind to openly speak about his colleagues’ plans and ongoing work in the transfer market.

The Manchester City manager was speaking to the press during his pre-match media conference ahead of the club’s FA Cup third round tie against Salford City this weekend, in which he was asked about the January window.

“Don’t ask me about that because I’m not going [to answer]. All month you’re going to ask the same about all we are linked with in the media, so I’m not going to talk. You can insist, I’m not going to answer because I don’t know the situation,” Guardiola hit back.

“We know we should not go to the transfer window, I don’t like much. The situation that’s happened this season with many, many, many injuries, we have to try to do it because the situation is what it is. But what happens, I’m not going to talk because I don’t know.”

The City coach closed, “Of course I have conversations with the club but the process and what’s happening, I don’t know what’s going to happen because it’s so difficult. And what is going to happen is going to happen, otherwise I cannot say anything else.”