It remains to be seen how much truth there is in reports suggesting that Real Madrid could make a £35 million move for Robert Renan.
But the fact that such reports exist is testament to the vast potential of a 19-year-old centre-half who only recently swapped Corinthians for Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg.
“His quality, for me, is that of a top team defender,” former Corinthians coach Vitor Pereira said; handing the teenage his senior bow in April 2022 (Globo Esporte).
“He has a very good level. Very good with the ball, and without the ball. He’s fast, focused. He needs to improve a little in the air, and in duels on the ground against stronger players. But I have no doubt that he is a player with a bright future ahead of him.”
Renan’s eye-catching performance off the bench during a Copa do Brasil thrashing of Santos last summer perhaps summed up exactly why the teenager is so coveted this side of the Atlantic. Moments after stepping onto the pitch, Renan threaded an inch-perfect through ball in behind to set up one of Corinthians’ four goals.
Clearly, he’s not just a destroyer but a creator too.
Will Robert Renan end up at Real Madrid?
“Robert, as soon as he entered the game, he played a pass between lines. One of the most difficult passes to produce,” Pereira said at the time.
“This shows his confidence and quality. He has to grow but he has potential. He’s a player who will fly to other levels, without a doubt. He is fast, he is technical, and he has personality.”
Attributes that would stand Renan in good stead if rumours linking him with arguably Europe’s most historic and expectant football club prove to be accurate. The Brazil U20 international hasn’t even made his debut for Zenit yet. But it already feels like a matter of time before the perennial champions of Russia are making a substantial profit on a player who appears to have plenty of strings adorning his bow; speed, power, maturity beyond his years, and the passing range of a seasoned playmaker.
According to Brazilian reporter Jorge Nicola, Renan’s agent held talks with Wolves and Manchester City before moving to St Petersburg. Arsenal entered negotiations too (Goal).
Presuming Renan lives up to lofty expectations at Zenit, you can expect to hear a lot more about this teenage centre-half over the coming months and years.
“As for his individual qualities, they are familiar to us,” beams Zenit coach Sergei Semak (Sport24). “He looks quite good. The player is very talented. It is important for us how quickly he can adapt with us.”
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