It’s been four years since Manchester City started following Everton. The Brazilian starlet, rather than the Merseyside club, was just 16 years of at the time, and as he couldn’t sign a professional contract, the English club didn’t make a move.
On Tuesday, UOL have a report saying that Manchester City have monitored the player since then, and could try to negotiate a deal before the end of 2016.
The idea is to let Everton end the Brazilian season with Gremio, which ends in December, and then try to sign him on a loan deal, to let him be evaluated by Guardiola’s staff as he plays for Manchester City’s reserves.
The club reportedly watched the 20-year-old once this year and three times in 2015, and are convinced of the player’s tactical and technical development. However, no bids were made and City haven’t set an exact date to make the approach.
Everton’s contract runs until 2018, and Grêmio don’t want to sell him so soon. The southern club have been doing good work with young players, and whoever wants to buy him will have to spend a lot of money to do it.
