Manchester City’s immediate plans for Palmeiras centre-back Vitor Reis revealed as negotiations continue | OneFootball

The immediate plans from the perspective of Manchester City for Brazilian youth international Vitor Reis have now been revealed as talks continue for the player.

The 18-year-old defender is one of three deals that the Premier League champions are actively pursuing this month in the hope that the deals can not only turn their fortunes around in the second-half of the campaign, but also mark the start of a rebuild.

There is an awareness within the Etihad Stadium that Manchester City’s current squad roster may have reached the end of its natural cycle, and as such a fresh wave of talent is required over the next two transfer markets to keep a competitive edge within the club for silverware.

Aside from the aforementioned Vitor Reis, City are also chasing agreements for Lens and Uzbekistan star Abdukodir Khusanov, as well as Eintracht Frankfurt and Egypt international Omar Marmoush.

The signings of all three players would likely take the Premier League champions’ spending for January over the £100 million barrier, but many have been wondering what the club’s plans are for Reis in particular given his age and lack of European football experience.

According to the information of The Athletic’s Sam Lee and Mario Cortegana, Vitor Reis is seen by Manchester City as a ‘first-team signing’. However, the report clarifies it remains to be seen whether the teenager would arrive this month or later this year, if an agreement is reached.

It is continued that City would like the 18-year-old to join Pep Guardiola’s side as soon as possible, but Palmeiras have long maintained a stance of preferring to retain Reis’ services for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States in the summer.

For now, The Athletic reports that City are working on a deal for the defender and while they have an agreement in place with the player directly, they are negotiating over a fee with the Brazilian club valuing Reis at upwards of £25 million.

Elsewhere and The Independent’s Richard Jolly is reporting that Manchester City want Vitor Reis to add to their first-team squad ‘immediately’, and as such they have no plans to send the Brazilian out on loan if they managed to sign him this month.

Palmeiras has been a happy hunting ground for Manchester City in the past, and the club are certainly no strangers to signing South American talents and bringing them to European football to great success.

Gabriel Jesus was signed by the reigning Premier League champions from the Brazilian giants back in the summer transfer window of 2016, before the striker made the trip to the Etihad Stadium to finalise a deal six months later for the second-half of the 2016/17 campaign.

Endrick has been the club’s most notable sale in recent years after the exceptionally-rated Brazilian forward talent signed for Real Madrid in a reported fixed deal at €35 million, with a remaining €25 million subject to sporting objectives.