Barcelona to rival Real Madrid, Arsenal for Brazilian prodigy with €100m release clause

While their last signing from Brazil has not worked out according to plan thus far, Barcelona are continuing to keep an eye out on the South American market for possible future signings.

And, it appears that a certain Vitor Reis of Palmeiras has caught the attention of the Blaugrana scouting team.

Barcelona, Real Madrid among elite clubs eyeing Vitor Reis

Indeed, according to Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, Barcelona are one of the many elite clubs from Europe interested in signing Vitor Reis from Palmeiras.

Reis, 18, made his first-team breakthrough with the Brazilian club in June earlier this year and has since made 15 appearances for them.

The teenage centre-back, who has been compared to fellow Brazilian centre-halves Marquinhos (PSG) and Eder Militao (Real Madrid), signed a new contract with Palmeiras in the summer, which expires on December 31, 2028.

The new contract also contains a mammoth release clause worth €100 million.

As per the report, along with Barcelona, other clubs like Real Madrid, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool have also expressed an interest in signing Reis.

In fact, the report states that both Real Madrid and Arsenal have already made enquiries about the youngster’s availability with Palmeiras and his entourage.

Palmeiras, for their part, have not set an asking price for Reis and intend to keep hold of the 18-year-old at least until the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Barcelona are well-stacked in the centre-back department with players like Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi, and youngster Sergi Dominguez, while Jules Kounde can always return to playing at the heart of the defence as well.

However, Martinez’s contract expires in 2025 while Araujo and Christensen’s deals run out in 2026. While extensions are likely to be offered to all three, Barça may well look to future-proof their backline with someone like Reis if any of their established stars opt to leave.

But with Real Madrid and Arsenal already making enquiries, the rest of the clubs will have to catch up with them in the race for the 18-year-old prospect.