LIVE
...

Follow us on

Soccer Transfer News

‘Super fast’: Salomon Kalou compares reported Leicester and Crytal Palace target to Neymar

Photo by Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images
Photo by Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images
Follow us on Google Discover
Photo by Aurelien Meunier – PSG/PSG via Getty Images

Reported Crystal Palace and Leicester City target Luis Henrique is from the “same lineage as Neymar”, his Botafogo teammate Salomon Kalou has told RMC Sport.

So we can add Paris Saint-German’s high-stepping number 10 to the extensive array of superstar forwards Henrique has been likened to since bursting on to the scene in South America

The teen sensation is already being mentioned in the same breath as Botafogo and Brazil legend Garrincha for his explosive dribbling skills and, speaking to Goal, he admitted comparisons are also being made to Kylian Mbappe, Thierry Henry and the original Ronaldo.

While piling plenty of pressure on a man who doesn’t turn 19 until December, this at least highlights how much talent Henrique has in those twinkling toes.

A talent Kalou has seen first hand at Botafogo.

“He’s super fast (and) powerful. He’s only 18 but, when you watch him play, you already see the potential,” says the former Chelsea, Lille and Hertha Berlin forward.

Photo by Kaz Photography/Getty Images

“He’s from the same lineage as Brazilian wingers like Neymar. (He’s a) dribbler, he runs fast, there are a lot of feints in his game.”

Gazeta Esportiva reported earlier this month that a Crystal Palace side focusing its attention on fresh-faced prospects with huge re-sale value have been watching Henrique closely.

So too have Leicester, who sent scouts to watch this latest in a long line of Samba starlets in May (Lance).

Speaking to L’Equipe this week, Botafogo representative Carlos Montenegro said the club wanted more than £10 million for a winger who, at present, appears to be on his way to Marseille.

FC ZenitÕs coach from Portugal Andre Villas Boas before the start of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg match between SL Benfica and FC Zenit at Estadio da Luz on February 16,… (Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Crystal Palace’s record signings

  1. Christian Benteke – £27 million

    2016

  2. Mamadou Sakho – £22 million

    2017

  3. Eberechi Eze – £19.5 million

    2020

  4. Patrick van Aanholt – £14 million

    2017

  5. Andros Townsend – £13 million

    2016