Man City open talks to beat Arsenal and Chelsea to £40m signing

TBR Football understands that Manchester City are moving fast to beat both Arsenal and Chelsea to the signing of Palmeiras centre-back Vitor Reis.

Arsenal and Chelsea have watched Reis for some time now, a young Brazilian defender who is tipped as a future captain for his country one day.

Ahead of Man City, Brighton & Hove Albion were actually leading the race for Reis in recent days, a player who seems destined for a Premier League move.

Brighton were pushing to sign Reis, but now City have opened talks, willing to pay much more for the centre-back than their English rivals.

Man City take their chance as Brighton back away from Vitor Reis deal

TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Brighton won’t be landing Reis because of Palmeiras’ insistence on keeping the player for the Fifa Club World Cup this summer. 

Brighton were looking to beat some of Europe’s elite to the deal, including Arsenal and Chelsea. 

Photo by Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images

However, Brighton were understood to be looking at a deal this month – but Palmeiras are insistent on keeping Reis for Club World Cup, which takes place in June and July.

Indeed, the Brazilian side also included in Chelsea’s deal to sign Estevao Willian that he must stick around to play for them in the competition, which is highly-regarded in South America.

Brighton remain interested in Reis, a deal they would have been willing to come back to, however, City may now be taking the opportunity away from their rivals.

City prepared to pay much higher fee for Reis

TBR understands that City have opened talks to sign Reis, meaning they are potentially willing to wait for him to arrive in order to secure a deal.

Pep Guardiola’s side are willing to pay £40m, which is a much bigger sum than Palmeiras thought they would be able to recoup.

As mentioned, Brighton were only willing to reach around £30m for any deal, a similar price that was discussed with the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid previously.

Arsenal and Chelsea were waiting for Reis, but City may have now gazumped those who were playing the patient game, paying the necessary price to secure a deal.

A top young talent who could be heading to the Etihad, with Man City also chasing other deals strengthen their squad moving forward