Manchester City are competing with Real Madrid for the signing of Santos youngster Weslley Patati, having had him scouted in November.
That’s according to Sport, who say City have been ‘tracking’ the youngster, who is the latest talent to emerge from Santos’ famous youth system.
The newspaper explains that while Manchester City and Real Madrid are ‘pining’ for the big transfer of Erling Haaland, they are also fighting against each other on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean for Patati.
He’s the latest young star of Brazilian football, with the left-winger already boasting a $100m release clause in his current contract.
That’s a standard for Santos, who armour all of their youth protégé’s with such clauses so that when the big clubs come calling, they can ensure they receive a big payoff.
It already happened when Real Madrid signed Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, and it could happen with Patati, who is ‘high on the list’ of potential signings at the Bernabeu.
The youngster has caught the eye of Madrid’s head of international football, Juni Calaf, who has recommended the left-winger to the club’s sporting directorate.
However, they will ‘face competition’ from Manchester City, who sent their scouts to the Paulista U20 Championship in November to see Patati in action.
They are also seemingly keen and ready to fight Madrid for his signature, although whether they’d match that $100m release clause isn’t mentioned.
The interest is there nonetheless, though, with Santos’ latest young talent earning himself admirers already.
