Real Madrid will face competition from Crystal Palace in the race to sign 19-year-old Brazilian midfielder Matheus Franca.
According to a report by Spanish outlet AS, Crystal Palace and Real Madrid are interested in Matheus Franca. The Eagles have sent a representative to Brazil to scout the 19-year-old midfielder. Meanwhile, the youngster has a release clause worth €200 million in his contract with Flamengo.
Matheus Franca spent his formative years in Brazil, starting his youth career at Olaria Atletico Clube. But his stock has risen since joining Flamengo as a 12-year-old in 2017. Since then, the Brazilian wonderkid has come leaps and bounds and gradually risen in stature.
The 19-year-old midfielder made his first-team debut for Flamengo, aged 17 in December 2021. And he has turned out 43 more times for the Brazilian club while chipping in with eight goals. Franca’s progress has not gone unnoticed either, with Real Madrid and Crystal Palace among his prospective suitors.
The teenage sensation was also the subject of interest from Newcastle United in the January transfer window. And while a winter move failed the materialise, the Magpies remain interested. But Real Madrid and Crystal Palace are stepping up their efforts to sign the youngster in the summer transfer window.
The report claims that Crystal Palace recently sent a representative to Brazil to see Franca in action. And the interest in the 19-year-old Brazilian midfielder is understandable amid the uncertainties surrounding Wilfried Zaha. With the Ivory Coast international likely to leave as a free agent, the versatile Franca can arrive as a replacement.
As for Real Madrid, Los Blancos might view the teenage prodigy as a possible successor to Luka Modric. The Croatian international is still going strong but is 37 years old. So it behoves Real Madrid to scour the market for a midfield reinforcement. But the Merengues face stiff competition from several other top clubs for the youngster.
In addition, recent reports have linked the 19-year-old Brazilian midfielder with Arsenal. Meanwhile, Franca has a release clause worth €200 million in his contract with Flamengo. And with his deal running until 2028, the Brazilian club will unlikely accept a lowball offer. It will be interesting to see if Real Madrid or Crystal Palace can hash out an agreement for the player.
