Pep Guardiola is pushing Manchester City’s interest in Flamengo defender Wesley, who is set to depart for more than the Brazilian club had expected to receive for him.
That’s according to the Flamengo YouTube channel Paparazzo Rubo-Negro, who report that it is very possible Manchester City sign the right-back this summer.
Reports over this week have Manchester City making the first move for the highly rated Brazilian right-back, who has been scouted by all of the big sides in Europe at Flamengo over the last year.
The belief is that they are keen to hire the youngster as the long-term replacement for Kyle Walker, who is expected to move on permanently this summer even if AC Milan don’t sign him on a permanent basis.
It’s not the first time they’ve turned to the Brazilian market of late, taking Vitor Reis from Palmeiras in the January transfer window as part of their defensive rebuild that month.
He ended up costing Manchester City €37m and Paparazzo Rubo-Negro reports that Wesley will end up costing more. In fact, it will be more than Flamengo were even expecting to receive for their highly rated youngster.
“Is it possible? Yes, yes, it is possible. The City Group wants to sign right-back Wesley, Manchester City, at Guardiola’s request, is interested in signing Wesley,” they said.
“The big secret is to convince the management led by President Luiz Eduardo Bapista, BAP, to change their mind about not wanting to sell the 22-year-old athlete now, before the Club World Cup.
“At the current exchange rate, what I had already found out is that it was a situation where Flamengo expected to receive at least €40m. Flamengo was projecting a sale of €35m and now it is projecting an even higher sale.
“There are other clubs interested in signing the right back, Wesley, an absolute starter under Felipe Luiz. In addition to Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Barcelona are monitoring the situation.”
