‘Not correct’ – Palmeiras president breaks silence on Man City Vitor Reis interest with clear transfer terms.
Manchester City are hoping to sign Vitor Reis from Palmeiras in January and the Brazilian side have responded to the interest.
Manchester City transfer target Vitor Reis is for sale this month – but the Blues have been sent a clear message over the terms of any potential deal.
City want to sign Palmeiras centre-back Reis, 18, this month and would prefer to add him to their squad immediately rather than in the summer. They also have interest in Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov as they seek to future-proof their defensive ranks.
A key sticking point for any deal for Reis is the FIFA Club World Cup, with Palmeiras joining City in the expanded tournament in the USA in June and July. The Brazilian side want to keep Reis for the tournament, whereas City may want to bring him to the club so he can represent them instead.
Speaking to the Athletic, Palmeiras president Leila Pereira responded to City’s transfer interest, insisting Reis is firmly in their plans for the Club World Cup.
“He is another of our sons from the Palmeiras academy. He is extremely talented and very important for our team,” Pereira said. “We intend to count on him to help us in the Club World Cup.
“Several European clubs are interested. At the moment there are only soundings from various clubs . . . no official proposal. He has a contract. But if there is an interesting offer for Palmeiras and the player, we will sit down and talk.”
So while no talks have begun, Palmeiras are willing to sell and Pereira also insisted they will hold firm on their Club World Cup stance as they did with another of their players – Estevao Willian – who signed for Chelsea in May but is back in Brazil on loan.
“I want to say the information coming out is not correct [on Reis],” added Pereira. “Palmeiras is in no hurry to sell. There is an extremely important tournament for Palmeiras and we need Vitor.
“Estevao will go to Chelsea after the Club World Cup. If there is any official negotiation, the value is very important and that the player leaves after the Club World Cup.”
