Buoyed By Gabriel Jesus Success, Manchester City Eye Up Young Palmeiras Trio

Buoyed By Gabriel Jesus Success, Manchester City Eye Up Young Palmeiras Trio
14:19, 20 Apr 2018

As just three of its graduates have been registered for the 2018 squad - and have thus far failed to win a single minute of playing time between them despite a packed Libertadores, state and national championship calendar - Palmeiras fans are growing restless that their team’s youth academy is being neglected.

Foreign eyes are paying close attention, however, with Manchester City, buoyed by the roaring success of Gabriel Jesus whom they purchased from the São Paulo-based club in 2016, reportedly in line to capture a trio of young promises from the alviverde that will make their way over the Atlantic in the next few years if offers until now refused by Palmeiras can be improved upon.

Hand-picked by Cadu, who represents City in South America and is responsible for procuring talent on the continent, are the left-back Luan, defender Henri and attacker Fernando. A star for Palmeiras in the São Paulo Junior Cup that has unearthed so many rough diamonds in past years, 17-year-old Luan has already represented Brazil in the U17’s World Cup. Registered for the recently-concluded senior state championship, he remained unused but is locked down in a contract until September 2020.

Fernando, 19, arrived at Palmeiras via a social project in neighbouring state Minas Gerias. In 2018, he has trained with the senior team but was recently sent back to the U20’s. Unlike Luan however, he has already made his debut in the national championship and has even bagged his first professional goal.

Of the group, the least is known about Henri. Just 16, he arrived at the club in 2015 when scouted for the U13’s but has already been singled out as a leader that drove Palmeiras’ U15’s to a string of trophies last year whilst also being handed the captain’s armband for the national team in this age category. After having commanded the U16’s and being awarded promotion to the U17’s for his performances, progress with the young seleção continues.

Should City pull off this coup, three potential stars for the future could be landed for a collective sum presumably lower than the £27mn it took to capture Jesus, who had already forced his way into the national team when enquiries were made after having helped Palmeiras lift a Copa do Brasil and its first Série A title in 22 years.

Of the group, the least is known about Henri. Just 16, he arrived at the club in 2015 when scouted for the U13’s but has already been singled out as a leader that drove Palmeiras’ U15’s to a string of trophies last year whilst also being handed the captain’s armband for the national team in this age category. After having commanded the U16’s and being awarded promotion to the U17’s for his performances, progress with the young seleção continues.

Should City pull off this coup, three potential stars for the future could be landed for a collective sum presumably lower than the £27mn it took to capture Jesus, who had already forced his way into the national team when enquiries were made after having helped Palmeiras lift a Copa do Brasil and its first Série A title in 22 years.

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