Ajax have reportedly entered the race to sign Corinthians youngster Guilherme Arana, who has been linked with Inter Milan and Manchester United.
Brazilian publication UOL Esporte are claiming that Ajax have joined other top European clubs in the pursuit of 19-year-old Guilherme Arana. The Corinthians youngster has long been on the radar of Manchester United, while Inter Milan have also been linked in the recent past and now Dutch giants Ajax seemed to have joined the long list of admirers for Arana.
Guilherme Arana is a 19-year-old Brazilian left-back who has graduated through the Corinthians academy, one of the best in the country. The player has broken into the first-team fold at Corinthians and has even managed to grab his first senior goal for his boyhood club.
The 19-year-old really came to the fore and grabbed eyeballs, though, during Brazil Under-20s fixture against the England Under=20s in England, where he absolutely bossed the left-side of the defence. His contributions to the attack are also one of the big positives about his overall playing style.
Manchester United have been long-term admirers of the left-back and there were reports of Mourinho eyeing a deal for Arana, with unconvincing performances by his current left-back options. Talks were reported to have begun for a deal to bring Arana to Old Trafford but those reports seem to have taken a back-seat since.
Ajax have made an approach for 19-year-old Brazilian defender Guilherme Arana, currently at Corinthians. #ajax [@UOLEsporte] pic.twitter.com/TobN7i7PQB
— AjaxDaily (@ajaxdailydotcom) December 29, 2016
Inter Milan had also joined the race for Arana soon after, with the Nerazzurri seeking a massive shake-up of their present roster. But, now, Ajax have not only joined the fray but have actually jumped to the head of the queue for the 19-year-old. The reports reveal Ajax have started talks of bringing the Brazilian defender to Netherlands.
While there have been no talks of a potential amount that could be in the offering by Ajax, the figure is likely to be more than the €5 million that Inter Milan reportedly offered, but was swiftly rejected. Corinthians have only 40% of the player’s total rights and thus would be looking for an adequate compensation for the player’s signature.
Arana and his representatives, though, may try to hold off a move in January with the player confident of impressing further in the South American Under-20 championship to be held in Ecuador between January and February, something which may further inflate his valuation.
Ajax, though, would be wary of Manchester United’s financial and commercial pull and would be looking to seal a deal as early as possible. Else, the Red Devils may swoop in and nab Arana from under the noses of other suitors. Mourinho had Marcelo at his disposal at Real and who knows, Arana might just end up being Mourinho’s Marcelo at Old Trafford.
