Reported Arsenal and Wolves target Kaio Jorge is now available for just £9 million but AC Milan are leading the race for the Santos wonderkid, as reported by Calciomercato.
Well, £9 million is better than nothing. You don’t need a degree in mathematics to work that out.
And this appears to be the stance Santos have taken as they weigh up whether to sell a striker dubbed the ‘new Neymar’ and the ‘next Ronaldo’ before the end of August.
It’s no secret 19-year-old Jorge wants to follow in Neymar’s footsteps with a move to Europe sooner rather than later, rejecting a chance to extend a contract that’s due to expire in January.
“The player’s desire to go to Europe in this window is well known. It is his family’s will,” Santos president Andres Rueda said last week.
Interest from across the Atlantic isn’t in short supply either.
According to A Bola, Wolverhampton Wanderers made their interest known a few weeks ago while Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have been linked since March.
Is Kaio Jorge still an option for Arsenal and Wolves?
In truth, Italy has always appeared the most likely destination for Jorge, however, and while Juventus and Napoli seem to be looking elsewhere these days, AC Milan are in pole position and threatening to speed away from the competition.
According to Calciomercato, in claims backed up by Tuttomercatoweb, Milan are closing in on a deal that would set them back just £9 million.
This comes less than 24 hours after Rossoneri director Paolo Maldini revealed a “young striker” could be on his way to the San Siro (Goal).
Milan’s mystery man may be unmasked during the next couple of days too, with Jorge edging ever closer to the seven-time European champions.
Jorge has a £40 million release clause in his contract.
But with one of the most exciting talents in Brazilian football set to become a free agent in five months’ time, any hopes Santos had of bringing in such a hefty fee went up in smoke a long time ago.
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