Manchester City have stolen a march in the race to sign Brazilian youth international, Gabriel Jesus, 19. The striker, currently at Sao Paulo’s Palmeiras, has a $24m release clause and City are the first of Europe’s elite to show willingness to pay the fee.
The youngster made his debut in March 2015 and has since made sixty appearances for Palmeiras, scoring twenty goals in the state and national competitions. Not yet capped at full international level, he was identified as a hot prospect during his youth appearances.
He is expected to be a leading light for Brazil at the Olympics in Rio later this year having been a member of the Brazilian Under-20 team which lost the 2015 World Cup final to Serbia. He has since made four appearances for the Under-23 side, scoring three times.
City have acted swiftly with neighbours, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich also interested in the player. Barcelona are also interested and may prove stiff opposition.
Even if the bid is accepted, it is by no means guaranteed that a Work Permit will be issued by the British government although the level of interest from top clubs around Europe ought to make the paperwork a formality.
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