Yuri Alberto is the latest Brazilian wonderkid to emerge from Santos and is reportedly on the radar of clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal.
According To The Sun, another Brazilian wonderkid has started to gain attention in Europe. Santos sensation Yuri Alberto is the latest to emerge as a brilliant prospect and is garnering interest from the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, who are among several clubs after the youngster.
Yuri Alberto is not a new name, though, with the player linked with United, Arsenal and AS Roma back in April as the clubs eyed summer overtures in the transfer market. But, as the clubs chose to spend money on superstars like Alexandre Lacazette, Romelu Lukaku and others, Alberto stayed put at Santos.
It has been a quick ride to the top echelons of Brazil’s footballing pit for Yuri Alberto. The 16-year-old had already broken the record for most goals in a Paulista at the youth level, a record previously held by Diego, who now plays for Flamengo. And, his talent has already sparked interest from clubs all across Europe.
While the interest from clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, AS Roma, Inter Milan, AC Milan and a few Spanish sides is great validation of Alberto’s progress in the footballing world, it is proving to be a bane for Santos, who are yet to tie the player down to a long-term professional deal at the club.
The interest from United and Arsenal, though, is serious and a notch above the others in pursuit, as confirmed by an unnamed source in the report. That the two clubs had scouted the player continuously also serves as confirmation of them taking a keen look at the 16-year-old.
“He is the new star of Brazilian football. He is very exciting and a lot of teams are looking at him. United and Arsenal are very keen on Yuri. They watched him when Brazil played in England earlier this year. He has great technique and an eye for goal. The reports across the board have been positive about him.”
“His agent has been contacted and told by both the Premier League clubs they will be watching him over the coming months.”
É clássico mundia! ⚽??
Brasil x Alemanha! ????
Faltam 3 para nosso sonho! ?
Que Deus nos abençoe! ??#MundialSub17 #U17WC #YurizinTáAiHein pic.twitter.com/pu0UCYbXrJ— Yuri Alberto (@yuri_alberto) October 21, 2017
Santos, though, have slapped a £37.5 million price tag on the player, who they see as the new sensation to emerge from their fabled academy. The figure however, is unlikely to deter any side if they do decide to come in with a real offer for Yuri Alberto.
For now, Alberto will be focused on making it to the first-team at Santos and become an even more prodigious prospect for the European giants to take note of, especially after being knocked out in the semi-finals of the Under-17 World Cup – by England nonetheless, with a 3-1 scoreline.
