FIFA U17 World Cup: Manchester City close to signing Brazil U17 player
The player made 3 substitute appearances for Brazil in the FIFA U-17 World Cup that is currently taking place in India. 2 appearances in Kochi vs Korea DPR and Spain and 1 in Goa vs Niger.
Victor Gabriel Moura de Oliveira, also known as Vitinho, is one of the many great talents to emerge from Brazil and currently plays for local club Corinthians. Vitinho first made headlines in 2015 during the U-15 South American Championship where he was the tournament's top scorer with 7 goals and ended up winning the tournament with Brazil. He has also won the U-17 South American Championship with Brazil, which took place in February 2017.
Also Read: FIFA U17 World Cup: Dheeraj Moirangthem, Komal Thatal attract Galatasaray interest ahead of India vs Ghana game
2015 was a great year for Vitinho as it was reported that Manchester City had a 'first option' clause on the player after he had a 10 day trial with their youth team where he was accompanied by Corinthians Director Augusto Melo. He also scored in a friendly against Newcastle United for the City youth team.The clubs had reportedly held talks for future deals and Manchester City were apparently interested in signing the player when he came of age.
It seems that AS Roma are also interested in the player's services. However according to Calciamercato, it is understood that Pep Guardiola and Man City are in pole position to land the player due to his trial with the club in the past as well as the growing Brazilian contingent within the City squad that feature players like Fernandinho as well as young talents like Ederson and Gabriel Jesus which makes the Manchester Club seem like a likely choice for the player.
Also Read: 4 potential options for India U17s' Dheeraj Singh after his World Cup heroics
Vitinho will turn 18 in January and will officially be eligible to move to Europe, the Corinthians director has hinted many times that Vitinho is destined for greatness and won't like to stay in Brazil in the near future. The club has set a €25million release clause on the player and it remains to be seen when and if Man City will like to trigger the release clause in the coming months.