Arsenal and Liverpool step up pursuit of 'the next Thiago Silva'

Cameron Smith

2 Sept 2024 15:30 BST
3 min read

Thiago Silva, Chelsea, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Arsenal and Liverpool have reportedly joined the race to sign Palmeiras youngster Vitor Reis, who is also wanted by La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.

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Reis, 18, is the latest wonderkid to break through at Palmeiras, with the club also developing both Endrick and Estevao Willian in recent years.

Endrick sealed a €47.5 million move to Real Madrid in July, while Estevao, who is currently 17, will join Chelsea for an initial €34m next summer.

Reis could also leave the club in 2025 amid significant interest from a host of top European clubs.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Benfica have all sent scouts to monitor his progress over the past weeks, according to CaughtOffside, while Chelsea and Manchester City have also been linked with the teenager.

Reis made his first-team debut for Palmeiras against Fortaleza in June and he has racked up a further 13 appearances in all competitions since then - scoring two goals.

He has also played 13 times for Brazil’s U17 side, captaining the team in all but one of those games. Reis notably wore the armband in each of Brazil’s matches as they reached the quarter-final stage of the U17 World Cup last summer.

© IMAGO - Vitor Reis has been compared to Thiago Silva

Vitor Reis: The next Thiago Silva?

In February, Reis was compared to Brazilian legend Thiago Silva by Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport.

The report stated that Reis is considered to be one of the brightest talents in Brazilian football, while Palmeiras youth coaches believe he can replicate Silva’s illustrious career.

Silva has won 33 trophies during his career, with 25 of those coming during a hugely successful eight-year spell at Paris Saint-Germain, and he racked up 113 international caps for Brazil.

The 39-year-old left Chelsea on a free transfer at the end of June and despite rumours of retirement, he sealed a memorable return to Fluminense instead.