Manchester City reach verbal agreement for January signing – Citizens to make ‘tempting’ offer in ‘next few hours’
Manchester City have reportedly entered the race to sign Palmeiras’ highly-rated defender Vitor Reis during the ongoing January transfer window. The 18-year-old has attracted significant interest from several European clubs, with Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion already expressing their desire to secure his services.
In December, reports from Brazil indicated that Arsenal had initiated contact with Palmeiras to explore the possibility of signing Reis. Later that month, ESPN Brazil revealed that Brighton made a formal bid of €25 million for the young centre-back. However, Palmeiras rejected the offer, deeming it insufficient, and signaled their willingness to sell only if presented with a higher fee.
As the transfer window progresses into January, a new report from UOL suggests that Manchester City have now emerged as strong contenders for the teenager’s signature. The reigning Premier League champions are determined to reinforce their defensive options, and Pep Guardiola has identified Reis as an ideal addition to his squad. The Spanish manager reportedly wants the promising youngster to join the Etihad Stadium as quickly as possible.
According to UOL, Manchester City have already reached a verbal agreement with Reis over personal terms. The next step for the English side is to finalize negotiations with Palmeiras and present a formal offer for the player. The report claims that City are preparing to submit a “tempting” bid worth €40 million in the coming hours to convince Palmeiras to part ways with their defensive prospect.
If the proposed deal materializes at this figure, it would set a new record for the most expensive defender sold from the Brazilian league. This highlights the high regard in which Reis is held and reflects Manchester City’s confidence in his potential to become a key player for the club in the future.
Brazilian journalist André Hernan, who has been closely following the developments surrounding this transfer saga, corroborated UOL’s report on his social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter). Hernan confirmed that Manchester City have a verbal agreement in place with the player and are now focused on reaching an agreement with Palmeiras.
This move underscores Manchester City’s proactive approach in the transfer market and their intent to secure top young talents before other European giants can step in. Despite being only 18 years old, Vitor Reis has showcased impressive maturity and defensive skills that have earned him widespread praise in Brazilian football circles. Guardiola and his team believe he has the attributes to thrive in their system and contribute to the club’s long-term success.
Palmeiras, on the other hand, are likely to evaluate Manchester City’s offer carefully, given the significance of the potential fee. While losing a player of Reis’ caliber would be a blow for the Brazilian side, the financial windfall from a record-breaking transfer could aid their future plans and investments. The next few hours will be crucial as negotiations intensify between the two clubs, with the outcome likely to be decisive in shaping Reis’ immediate future.
