- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Liverpool are pushing hard to win the race for Brazilian wonderkid Luis Guilherme but face competition from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United while Palmeiras hold out for nearly £50 million.
15 months after Real Madrid won the race to sign Endrick – the then-16 sensation – another Palmeiras starlet finds himself at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war, with some of Europe’s biggest and most deep-pocketed clubs holding the rope.
HITC Football understands that there is interest from Tottenham and Manchester United in Luis Guilherme. Ditto a Brighton and Hove Albion side who have made a habit of signing some of South America’s brightest talents, from Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister to Julio Enciso and Valentin Barco.
It is Liverpool, however, who are pushing hard for Guilherme. Sources at Palmeiras informing HITC that Jurgen Klopp’s side are working hard – via intermediaries – to get a deal done for a player who celebrated his 18th birthday at the start of February.
Liverpool pushing to sign Palmeiras starlet Luis Guilherme
Guilherme has a release clause in the region of £50 million in his Allianz Parque contract. There is interest on the continent, too, at Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Porto, Benfica and Atletico Madrid.
Capped by Brazil at under-20 level, the hugely-talented attacking midfielder has been labelled the ‘new Rivaldo’ by some, sharing the Barcelona icon’s technical and physical gifts.
Clocked at over 36 kh/h back in 2022, Guilherme’s top speed is allegedly higher than that of Mo Salah, Luis Diaz and even Darwin Nunez. That rapid pace has also drawn comparisons with one Kylian Mbappe, even if Guilherme tends to do his work in central areas rather than out on the wing (Globo Esporte).
“Luis doesn’t get carried away. He knows the potential he has,” smiles Joao Paulo Sampaio, Palmeiras’ youth director. “He’s a very special player.”
Faster than Darwin Nunez
HITC Football understands that Chelsea had been leading the chase for Guilherme before Christmas, but may now be in danger of being overtaken by a Liverpool side who defeated The Blues in last week’s EFL Cup final at Wembley. Chelsea are also keen on fellow Palmeiras teenager Estevao, while Saudi Pro League clubs are also eyeing up the Brazilian duo.
Liverpool are yet to make a formal offer to Palmeiras, even if they are working hard via intermediaries to get ahead of the competition.
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