Real Madrid and Manchester City are reportedly interested in signing 18-year-old Brazilian whizkid Weslley Patati, valued at €100 million by Santos.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Real Madrid and Manchester City are vying for Weslley Patati. The 18-year-old Brazilian whizkid has a €100 million release clause in his contract with Santos FC.
Weslley Patati is widely regarded as one of Brazil’s most promising young players. Currently plying his trade for one of Brazil’s most renowned outfits, Santos FC, the teenage prodigy has been extremely impressive since joining the club on a training contract in 2019.
The 18-year-old is yet to make his first-team debut for Santos but has made a big impression for the age group teams for club and country. Despite the youngster’s slight stature – he stands at 1.73m – his ability to drift past opposition players at pace makes him a deadly proposition. And Patati’s progress has not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid and Manchester City keen admirers of the teenager.
The Spanish giants are renowned for frequenting the Brazilian market for prodigious talents. This outlook has fetched Real Madrid several whizkids over the years, with Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo Goes the latest to not only break into their first-team squad, but also stamp their authority at the same time.
Of late, several Brazilian youngsters have been linked with Real Madrid, including Matheus Nascimento, with Patati now emerging on their radar. However, Real Madrid will need to fend off competition from Manchester City in the race to sign the 18-year-old.
The Premier League champions have also made a habit out of exploiting the Brazilian market, having beaten some of the biggest clubs in Europe to sign Kayky. And Patati has also popped up on Manchester City’s radar, with the teenage prodigy one for the future. However, signing the Brazilian could cost a bomb as he has a €100 million release clause in his deal with Santos.
It is unclear whether Real Madrid or Manchester City will be open to paying €100 million to sign Patati in a future transfer window. However, the 18-year-old recently revealed that he dreams of emulating Rodrygo by joining Real Madrid. It will be interesting to see if he arrives at the Santiago Bernabeu instead of Manchester City when he eventually leaves Santos.
