Man City and Pep Guardiola taking £30million transfer gamble

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Palmeiras’ teenage defender Vitor Reis is set to join Manchester City’s struggling defence in a deal making him the most expensive Brazilian defender ever.

The imminent signing of 19-year-old Reis is another sign of the squad overhaul Pep Guardiola is beginning this month. City’s squad has an average starting XI age of 27 years and 167 days in the league this season, the eighth oldest in the top flight.

Key players Ilkay Gundogan, Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones are all over 30 and injuries in defence have prompted a need to invest in youth and the future with Reis to the fore.

Palmeiras’ esteemed academy has produced talents like Real Madrid’s Endrick and Willian Estevao - who has agreed a move to Chelsea - in recent years and Reis is earmarked as the next of an elite crop, emerging as one of the most promising young defenders in Brazilian football.

The 19-year-old is commanding a fee of around £30 million pounds following his strong performances in the Brazilian top flight last season. He started 20 of Palmeiras’ final 30 games in the 2024 campaign producing 1.26 tackles per 90 (93 percentile), having an 88% passing completion rate– per FBref.

To be starting 20 games, aged 18, is no mean feat. Reis captained Brazil’s U17 team to the quarter finals of the 2023 FIFA U17 World Cup. His physique helped him win 2.9 ariel duels per 90 last season in domestic football- the closest City player to reach this mark is Nathan Ake, who averages 2.1 per 90. The disparity in quality been the two divisions is glaring but Reis’ aerial ability aged 19 is striking.

But South American football expert Tim Vickery issued a word of caution about the teenage star.

‘‘I don't think he's anywhere near Premier League ready at the moment. He's classy but he needs to fill out physically. If you were to put him in the Premier League at the moment, he would really be bullied.

‘’Reis needs some filling out and can be bullied. There is an interesting comparison with Murillo from Nottingham Forest. Reis is coming on 22 games, and Murillo was on 25 from Corinthians. Murillo is that little bit older and he is also built."

Christian Norgaard highlighted City’s aerial problems on Tuesday night, beating Manuel Akanji to level for Brentford in a 2-2 draw. Reis is known for his heading ability and can also fill in at full back. But that side of his game will need work if he is to become a fixture at City over the coming years.

City and Guardiola have identified his raw talent. It's now up to Reis to see how far and how quickly he can progress.

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