Manchester City have opened their pocketbook to bolster their squad in the January transfer window, with the club set to complete the signing of 19-year-old Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis.
Per a report from journalist Fabrizio Romano, a verbal agreement has already been reached between the two clubs over a €40 million ($41 million) fee, with last season’s Premier League champions keen to make the transfer “immediately.”
🚨🔵 EXCLUSIVE: Vitor Reis to Manchester City, here we go! 🇧🇷
Verbal agreement reached right now with Palmeiras on package under €40m fee… and City want it to be IMMEDIATE transfer!
Vitor Reis, set for medical and contract signing as soon as clubs will check all documents. pic.twitter.com/ovLIrSFyDj
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 13, 2025
Sky Sports have also reported that Palmeiras club president Leila Pereira has confirmed City made their approach for the player on Monday, and a agreement in principle has been reached for the player.
More news: Pep Guardiola Reveals Key Player Has Asked to Leave Manchester City
Reis is now expected to fly to England and undergo a medical while the officials from the two clubs finalize the details over a move that will see the young defender join Pep Guardiola’s squad in the coming days.
Reis, full name Vitor de Oliveira Nunes dos Reis, has operated predominantly as a central defender for Palmeiras, but has also been used as a right back on occasion.
It means the Brazilian could be an instant replacement for wantaway defensive veteran Kyle Walker, who has expressed a desire to transfer to an overseas club to close out his career.
City look set to beat a number of other clubs, including fellow Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion, to Reis’ signing, with the defender set to be the latest talented Palmeiras player to be sold to a European club for big money.
Striker Endrick was sold to Real Madrid for €47.5 million ($48.7 million) last summer, while the club has also agreed a deal for their 17-year-old winger Estevao Willian to join Chelsea at the end of the season for a fee of €34 million (€34.8 million).
The move for Reis is one of two defensive additions City are looking to complete in the January transfer window. In addition to the Palmeiras star, City are also looking to complete the signing of 20-year-old Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov for a fee believed to be €39.8 million ($40.8 million).
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Reis was on the radar of several Premier League clubs, who will now be frustrated that they were beaten to the punch by City.
“He’s a name that I hear mentioned by all of the leading Premier League clubs as someone they would like to bring in,” he said.
“And since the news emerged that Manchester City are stealing a march, there has been frustration across the English top-flight and recruitment departments.”
“Some of them are gutted because they wanted him and it looks like they’re not going to get him.”
For more on soccer, head to Newsweek Sports.
Read the full article here
