Pep Guardiola reportedly wants to bring the ‘new Messi’ Thiago Almada to Premier League champions Manchester City.
Manchester City target Thiago Almada has a release clause of just £12 million in his contract, according to Vavel.
There has been a growing trend of fresh-faced Brazilian starlets making the move to Europe for huge fees in recent transfer windows, with Rodrygo set to join Vinicius Jr at Real Madrid while the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Reinier have been heavily linked with clubs in England.
Things are no different for Thiago Almada. At just 17 years of age, the teenager has already played 16 times for Velez Sarsfield and earned comparisons with a certain Lionel Messi. No pressure then.
The Sun claimed over the weekend that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made Almada (below, right), who is renowned for his explosive pace and Messi-esque darts, a top target heading into the summer transfer window.
And, according to Vavel, Almada is available for just £12 million as things stand, although Velez Sarsfield are hoping to tie him down to a new contract that would raise his release clause to £22 million.
City may be willing to pay well over £12 million, however, with the Sun pointing out that a big transfer fee would help Almada to earn a work permit.
City will be desperate to avoid a repeat of the Douglas Luiz situation, the Brazilian midfielder spending another season on loan with Girona after being denied the chance to play in the Premier League due to paperwork issues.
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