Aston Villa showing ‘serious’ interest in wonderkid as price set for January transfer
Latest Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive brings you what is being said about a young player in Brazil that looks destined to be heading for Europe
Aston Villa are showing an interest in the latest teenage sensation to make headlines in Brazil by monitoring Vasco Da Gama sensation Rayan.
ESPN Brazil, via Sport Witness, report that Villa have joined the list of growing admirers of the winger who has scored 14 goals this season.
Villa are said to be looking for a wide player who is blessed with pace and ability in front of goal with Rayan putting two massive ticks next to those attributes.
Pundits in Brazil are excited about Rayan’s future and predictably it has already led to speculation over a big-money move to Europe.
Vasco has already fielded several enquiries, but ESPN claims Villa are the club taking the most serious interest.
Brazil has proven to be a valuable source of top talent for relatively modest prices and Rayan is no different.
The Rio de Janeiro club are said to have told interested parties that they will open talks on offers of £25m even though the player has a release clause of £34m.
Sources told ESPN that a deal could even be done for £17m, with another £4m or so in add-ons built into it.
Vasco’s board is already preparing to sell Rayan before the end of 2025, with the player under contract until 2026.
Real Betis reportedly contacted him about his availability, while Porto made an offer that did not meet the club’s demands. Fiorentina also made a speculative bid of £6.9m that was rejected.
There has also been enquiries from clubs in Saudi Arabia, but the winger has made it clear that he wants to seal a switch to Europe.
Chelsea, Spurs and Brighton are also among those monitoring his progress and it now seems a question of when, not if, somebody will make their move.
And with Villa’s scouts making their presence felt, Rayan’s future in January will be one to keep an eye on.
Should Villa look to Brazil to sign more talent? Have your say HERE.
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