Brazilian football club Clube de Regatas do Flamengo’s youngster Vinicius Junior, is reportedly a target for English clubs Arsenal, Chelsea and Spanish giants FC Barcelona, according to The Sun. Touted as Brazil’s next big thing he is being watched by a number of top European clubs.
Apart from the above-mentioned clubs both the Manchester clubs are also believed to be pursuing the ‘next Neymar’.
It is understood that Flamengo rate Vinicius so high that they have already made him sign his first professional contract in July last year having just turned 16 years old and not having debuted for even the Flamengo U18 side. The mega-contract reportedly includes a €30million buy-out clause in a bid to ward off potential suitors.
24-time La Liga champions Barçelona have reportedly opened negotiations with the player’s representatives and have clearly shown their interest in yet another Brazilian youth prodigy after tipping off competition from arch rivals Real Madrid in Neymar’s signing 3 and a half years back. Signing the 16-year old striker would be a good long-term option for Luis Enrique’s team post the Neymar-Suarez-Messi era at the Camp Nou.
The Spanish press has also hinted that Arsenal has an interest in signing the young forward, who has a €30million buyout clause in his contract. With club manager Arsene Wenger fond of youngsters he could very well bring Vinicius to the Emirates.
But according to former Flamengo president Kleber Leite, Manchester United seems to have made the most concrete approach so far. Hence amidst contrasting reports, the Brazil U17 star looks to be attracting a number of top European clubs already.
Vinícius is viewed as an important asset by Flamengo, who have made plans to include him and other youngsters into the first team set-up in the months ahead.
The Rubro-Negro will hope that he follows in the footsteps of fellow Brazilian counterparts like Neymar, Casemiro, Oscar, Lucas Moura and Marquinhos, all of whom have enjoyed success at the senior level in Europe after shining at the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in early parts of their career.
Vinicius is a regular face in the Brazilian youth set-ups, and he finished 2nd in the race for the Golden Boot in the U15 South American Championships in 2015 with 6 goals. He was signed by Flamengo at the age of 10 and he subsequently made his U15 debut just three years later and is expected to play some part in the Flamengo first team in 2017.
Hence the 16-year old forward has appeared to be one of the hottest transfer targets in January’s winter transfer window. Only time will tell where he will end up. Let us keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best. COYG!!!
