Real Madrid set to join Chelsea and Arsenal in race to sign 18-year-old South American star: Reports
With the January transfer window approaching, Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Brazilian prodigy Vitor Reis, who has also attracted attention from Chelsea and Arsenal. The 18-year-old defender is currently playing for Palmeiras.
Real Madrid have had an injury-riddled season. Carlo Ancelotti's squad have four defenders, including David Alaba, Daniel Carvajal, Éder Militão, and Ferland Mendy, out with injuries. It seems Los Blancos' reported interest in Reis comes as a potential solution to end their injury woes in the central defense line.
Goal Brazil reported (via Madrid Universal) that Los Blancos have reached out to Vitor Reis through intermediaries. The young centre-back has turned heads with his impressive performances. Following his senior debut for Palmeiras this season, he has made 18 appearances in the Serie A, registering one goal.
While Real Madrid have been tracking Reis' development for a while now, the move might not materialize in the upcoming transfer window. Palmeiras are not keen on parting ways with their academy graduate anytime soon. Despite the possible high bids, the Brazilian club may not consider any offers until the summer.
Arsenal, Chelsea, and Inter Milan have also approached Vitor Reis' intermediaries for a potential transfer, as per the aforementioned report.
Palmeiras are not considering an exit for Reis while envisioning further growth and development of the player at the club. It remains to be seen if the Brazil defender will arrive at Santiago Bernabéu next year.
Jose Mourinho asks Nico Williams to join Real Madrid amid interest from Arsenal and Chelsea
Fenerbahçe head coach José Mourinho has advised Nico Williams to join Real Madrid while the winger is reportedly on Arsenal and Chelsea's transfer target list. The 22-year-old is currently playing for his boyhood club Athletic Bilbao where his contract is valid until the summer of 2027.
Williams turned heads with his impressive performances for Spain in Euro 2024, registering two goals and one assist in six appearances.
He was heavily linked with a move to Premier League clubs Arsenal and Chelsea in the last summer transfer window. The Spaniard has been impressive in the ongoing season as well, scoring two goals and five assists in 21 appearances across competitions for Athletic Bilbao.
José Mourinho heaped praise on Nico Williams ahead of Fenerbahçe's Europa League clash against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday (December 11). Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Portuguese manager said he hoped the winger would join Los Blancos in the future. Mourinho said (via Metro):
"Nico is wonderful. At the last Euros, everyone was talking about Yamal, Yamal, Yamal… who is obviously another fantastic young player. But personally, I prefer Nico; he is a fantastic footballer. One cannot think that a Turkish club could sign him; I hope he ends up at Real Madrid."
José Mourinho has coached both Chelsea and Real Madrid in the past. During his three-year tenure at Santiago Bernabéu from 2010-2013, the 61-year-old won one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey, and one Supercopa de España.