Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United are trying to manoeuvre themselves into the race for Palmeiras teenagers Estevao and Luis Guilherme, 90min understands.
The Brazilian market has opened up to Premier League clubs in recent times, owing to a change in work permit regulations, and that’s allowed for more buying of players at source rather than relying on buying from Europe at a higher price.
Real Madrid have used the South American market to great effect in recent years, thanks largely to the work of Juni Calafat, and they have picked up the likes of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Endrick, the latter of whom will join the club from Palmeiras in 2025 once he turns 18.
Madrid are inevitably one of the sides keeping close tabs on promising 16-year-old winger Estevao, who is yet to make his first-team debut for Palmeiras. They are regarded as favourites to sign him at this stage because of their positive relationship with the Brazilian club, but Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal are also jostling for position in the race to sign him.
The Premier League trio are aware of the difficulty they have in persuading him not to move to Spain though, with Madrid’s track record of developing young players speaking for itself.
Barcelona, Inter and Juventus have also watched Estevao represent Brazil at Under-17 level, with a potential move to Europe, like Endrick, possible once he turns 18 in 2025.
A number of clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Brighton, are also taking a keen interest in Estevao’s 17-year-old teammate, Luis Guilherme. He’s already part of Abel’s first-team squad at Palmeiras, and was watched by clubs during the recent Copa Libertadores double-header against Boca Juniors.
Bayern Munich have sent scouts to watch Guilherme, as have Benfica, Porto, Atletico Madrid, Lyon and Monaco, and he could move to Europe sooner than Estevao as he turns 18 next February.
Guilherme, who has cited Lionel Messi as an inspiration to him, has represented Brazil at Under-20 level already, with his technical ability on the ball and searing pace among the standout parts of his game.
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