Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are reportedly considering signing 18-year-old Brazilian prodigy Vinicius Tobias from Shakhtar Donetsk.
According to a report by Spanish publication AS, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid have set their sights on Vinicius Tobias over a possible move. The 18-year-old Brazilian wonderkid could leave Shakhtar Donetsk as a free agent due to FIFA’s ruling in the wake of the war-ravaged situation in Ukraine.
Vinicius Tobias is the latest Brazilian prospect to join a Ukrainian club, which has long been a safe haven for many upcoming talents from the country. The teenage prodigy spent his formative years in his homeland before making his breakthrough at Internacional. But a move to Shakhtar Donetsk soon beckoned him, with the youngster joining the Ukrainian giants in the January transfer window.
The 18-year-old has yet to make his debut for Shakhtar Donetsk but is widely regarded as one of the most promising young right-backs in the world. And amid the precarious situation in Ukraine, Vinicius’ stint with Shakhtar could end mere months after he first arrived in the country.
FIFA has acted promptly to open the transfer window for foreign players at Ukrainian and Russian clubs shortly after calls for the same were made from several quarters. And the said foreign players can immediately join another outfit for free, which has captured the attention of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, as far as Vinicius Tobias is concerned.
According to widespread reports, Real Madrid could enter the market for a right-back in the summer transfer window amid the inconsistencies of Dani Carvajal. And with Lucas Vazquez struggling to impress as a makeshift right-back, the Spanish giants have been scouring the market for options, with Jonathan Clauss recently emerging as a target.
But signing Vinicius Tobias as a long-term successor for Carvajal could be the way to go for Real Madrid. However, they will have local rivals Atletico Madrid to contend with in the race to sign the 18-year-old Brazilian prodigy.
The reigning La Liga champions are also keen on signing a right-back, with Matty Cash recently popping up on their radar. Atletico Madrid’s eagerness to sign a right-back stems from Kieran Trippier’s departure in the January transfer window, leaving the unconvincing Sime Vrsaljko as the only other option at Diego Simeone’s disposal.
According to AS, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid could initially assign Vinicius Tobias to their reserve teams before quickly promoting him if he shows enough promise. For now, the 18-year-old Brazilian prodigy has emerged on their radars, and it remains to be seen if a free transfer materialises for either club.
