According to Kicker, Bayer Leverkusen have now joined the race to sign Santos talent Kaio Jorge amid links to Arsenal.
It’s claimed that Leverkusen have been playing down the interest as agent talk, but they have been showing an interest in the 19-year-old.
Juventus are also keen, but Leverkusen are now in the race with Kaio Jorge keen to land more first-team opportunities at a smaller club than Juve.
Leverkusen can offer that, and have been trying to develop fellow Brazilian Paulinho in recent times, so a move to Germany may seem appealing.
Arsenal are keen on Kaio Jorge too according to Calciomercato, with Edu aware of the top talents emerging in his native Brazil.
The Gunners pounced for Gabriel Martinelli in 2019, and with Kaio Jorge being another versatile and exciting Brazilian attacker, there is an easy comparison to be made.
Last year, Goal noted that he has been tabbed as ‘the new Ronaldo’ having shown promise in Brazil, but his record in senior football isn’t actually all that impressive just yet.
In 59 first-team games for Santos, Kaio Jorge has only bagged nine goals and one assist according to Transfermarkt, meaning he has some way to go before those Ronaldo comparisons can come true.
Kaio Jorge’s deal expires in January, meaning he could negotiate a pre-contract agreement this summer, but Santos want to tie up a new deal and sell him this summer.
Arsenal still have time to win the race for Kaio Jorge, but with more and more clubs interested, it may not be easy for them to pull this one off. Over to you, Edu.
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