Arsenal keep tabs on £60m Brazilian teenage sensation Reinier Jesus
Arsenal are keeping tabs on Flamengo midfielder Reinier Jesus who has attracted interest from Europe’s top clubs already at just the tender age of 17.
Reinier made his first-team debut for Brazillian outfit Flamengo in July and signed a new contract earlier this month lasting until 2024, with a release clause set at £60 million.
The likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain have already registered their interest in the teenage sensation.
The Gunners have reportedly already contacted the Brazillian’s father in a bid to convince the youngster to move to North London making Unai Emery’s side the favourites for the midfielder’s signature.
It is said that Reinier’s father has travelled to Europe to look at potential clubs for the teenager, who has already made 13 first-team appearances for his club.
In those appearances, Reinier has registered 6 goal contributions, which have all come in the Brazillian top-flight, and is currently averaging a goal every 165 minutes.
This is highly impressive considering his age and the fact that he has only featured in 21% of the available minutes as most of his appearances have been as a substitute.
The youngster has also captained the Brazil team, that missed out on the final round by goal difference, in this year’s South American Under-17 Championship, scoring three goals in four games.
Arsenal have already picked up a huge talent from Brazil just this summer in Gabriel Martinelli from Ituano for a modest £6m and would be hoping that Reinier could replicate his fellow countryman’s performances.
The 18-year-old has been a rare shining light in the Gunners’ poor season having scored 7 goals and assisted one in 9 appearances in all competitions.
It is highly improbable that, even if Arsenal were able to capture the highly-rated midfielder, Reinier would be able to help a floundering Unai Emery side.
He would be a great addition for the future and has the skill set required that would help fix Arsenal’s problem in creating chances as his creativity and dribbling are some of his greatest assets.
Reinier is also relatively strong and big for his size but the difference between the Brazillian Serie A and the Premier League is staggering as seen in Martinelli’s numbers in the English top-flight.
The high-flying youngster has not contributed to a goal in any of his 4 appearances in the Premier League but he has only played a total of 75 minutes in the competition.
However, it is clear to see Reinier’s huge potential and thus, it comes as no surprise as to why Europe’s elite have also registered their interest in the 17-year-old.
