Arsenal want to sign £83m wonderkid from Brazil, four more clubs keen | OneFootball

Arsenal have joined Real Madrid in the race to sign Palmeiras wonderkid Vitor Reis, according to The Athletic.

The 18-year-old has made a huge impression since breaking into Palmeiras’ first team and recently signed a long-term contract with a £83 million release clause.

Arsenal and Madrid have reportedly made initial enquiries to Palmeiras and the player’s representatives, but there have been no formal approaches.

Chelsea, Liverpool and Barcelona are also admirers of the centre-back. Palmeiras have not set an asking price yet as they plan to keep him until after the 2025 Club World Cup.

Arsenal are unlikely to land Reis next year

The Gunners are currently loaded with immense talent in the heart of the defence. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are regarded as the best centre-back pairing in the Premier League.

The club also has Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior, who can operate from the central defensive positions when manager Mikel Arteta opts for a change.

Kiwior has been linked with a return to Serie A for some time. Even if he leaves, the Gunners are unlikely to make an approach for Reis, considering the huge competition for places.

The youngster may want the assurance of playing time, which he is unlikely to get at Arsenal. It could be a different story with Madrid, who want to sign a young centre-back.

Lille’s Leny Yoro was their prime target for much of the year before he chose to join Manchester United.

Los Blancos could now turn their attention to Reis. The speculation linking with Arsenal could be agent-driven as they are competing among the elite again.