Arsenal are among the clubs keeping close tabs on Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis, according to CaughtOffside.com.
The website claims that the Gunners are one of four teams who have sent scouts to watch the 18-year-old in action recently.
Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid are also believed to be monitoring Reis’s performances, along with Mikel Arteta’s side.
Caught Offside report that scouts have returned “positive reports” on the player, and there is a good chance that an approach will be made by one of the interested teams either in January or next summer.
What do fans need to know about Reis?
The teenager is a centre-back by trade, but he can also be deployed on the right-hand side of defence if required.
Reis only made his senior debut recently, making his first appearance as a substitute in Palmeiras’ 3-0 defeat to Fortaleza at the end of June.
Since then, he has made 14 appearances for the Brazilian Serie A side, having also scored his maiden goal for the first team against Corinthians in a 2-0 win.
Arsenal may have a battle on their hands securing the defender’s signature
Palmeiras have sold several promising young players in recent months including Endrick (to Real Madrid), Luis Guilherme (to West Ham) and Estevao Willian (to Chelsea). They are said to be extremely reluctant to offload anyone else.
Of course, the Gunners’ sporting director Edu does have strong contacts in his native Brazil so he could pull some strings but, with Real also in the mix for Reis, it might not be much of an advantage. The Spanish giants have good relations with Palmeiras after agreeing the sale of Endrick.
It’s definitely one to keep an eye on but fans shouldn’t expect any movement on this transfer in the coming weeks.
