From Brazil: Liverpool make enquiry for Grêmio teenager

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The scramble for South American talent before astronomical valuations take hold has reached unprecedented levels across European football.

Chelsea have positioned themselves as pioneers in this market, securing Estêvão Willian from Palmeiras for an initial £29 million in 2024, Kendry Paez from Independiente del Valle for £17.5 million, and Andrey Santos from Vasco da Gama for £13 million – all before these teenagers had fully established themselves.

Brighton are another success story, where they transformed modest investments into massive profit/

Moises Caicedo was purchased for £4 million from Independiente del Valle and eventually sold for £100 million to Chelsea, while Alexis Mac Allister’s £7 million acquisition from Argentinos Juniors yielded a £28 million profit when Liverpool paid £35 million for his services.

And now it looks like the Anfield club want to get in on the action.

ESPN Brazil are reporting that both Liverpool and Nottingham Forest have enquired about 16-year-old goalkeeper Gabriel Menegon from Grêmio.

The towering 1.96-meter shot-stopper has been with Grêmio since joining their academy at age 14 and is currently establishing himself as Brazil’s Under-17.

Brazilian players cannot move to European clubs until they turn 18, meaning any potential transfer would need to wait until late 2026.

However, despite the rising interest from across the continent, Grêmio has yet to receive any official offers for their promising talent.

The 16-year-old is regarded as one of the brightest prospects within the youth system and is expected to be promoted to the first team in the near future.

At this stage, the situation remains limited to scouting and inquiries, with further developments hinging on whether any interested parties decide to make a formal bid that tests Grêmio’s commitment to retaining him.

This follows reports that the Reds were keen on Fluminense midfielder Isaque Severino Silva before he made the switch to Shakhtar Donetsk.

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