Manchester City to rival Barcelona, Real Madrid and PSG for teenage defender

Manchester City are amongst a number of European clubs to be interested in signing Sao Paulo FC star Lucas Beraldo.

The treble-winners continue to monitor the South American market, with the expansion of the City Football Group affording the opportunity for Manchester City to further improve their squad and academy.

The arrival of Julian Alvarez from River Plate for £14 million is the Blues’ biggest recent South American success story, with the 23-year-old having helped Manchester City to a landmark treble, and Argentina to a first FIFA World Cup since 1986, last season.

Alvarez, who was handed a new contract at the Etihad Stadium after an impressive maiden campaign, has scored 24 goals for Pep Guardiola’s side, including seven in 16 appearances so far this season.

Manchester City are reportedly considering making a fresh move for a South American star, with the Premier League side eyeing a move for Sao Paulo centre-back Lucas Beraldo.

The 19-year-old, who has made 41 senior appearances during the 2022/23 campaign, is subject to interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris Saint Germain.

Sport Witness relay a report by Alexsander Vieira, who claims that Manchester City are amongst the European clubs in the race to sign the Brazil teenager.

Beraldo is attracting significant transfer interest, and Sao Paulo would be willing to sanction the sale of the 19-year-old, permitting a transfer fee is worth over €20 million.

That fee would make the centre-back the most expensive defender to leave Brazil, and a number of other English clubs are claimed to also be interested in the young defender.

Manchester City have also recently been linked with Boca Juniors and Argentina left-back Valentin Barco, who could move to the Etihad Stadium, permitting the club trigger the 19-year-olds release clause.