Chelsea and Manchester City in line for transfer battle over Brazilian midfielder

Two of England’s biggest clubs are lining up to do battle over the signature of the next emerging talent from the Brazilian game, according to recent reports.

It is the latest link between Manchester City and one of the globe’s finest young emerging names, amid a flurry of interest and negotiations between Etihad Stadium bosses and talents from South America in particular.

City are closing in on finalising a total and sealed agreement for River Plate’s Argentina under-17 captain Claudio Echeverri, with the attacking midfielder expected to remain at his current club on loan until next winter.

City’s scouting missions are not restricted to just South America, with the latest information linking the club to a new name from the Spanish game, with a 14-year-old talent at the centre of what could be an intense battle between at least four clubs.

According to the information of Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, translated and relayed by Sport Witness, both Chelsea and Manchester City are interested in Brazilian midfielder named Guilherme Ruck (14), currently contracted to Real Valladolid.

Such is the excitement around the player that it is further detailed that Real Madrid and Barcelona are also in the mix, as are ‘half of Europe’, with the Spanish giants in particular being kept informed on events around the teenage wonderkid.

City are well-positioned in the global game to become the go-to place for developing footballers to have their game built upon through the Manchester club’s place as part of the City Football Group.

With a portfolio now in excess of over 10 clubs across the globe, Manchester City are able to position young players close to home at one of their teams, learning the group-wide style of play, and working towards an end goal of the Etihad Stadium or a career in top-level sport.

Whether or not City opt to intensify their interest in Guilherme Ruck remains to be seen, however it is certain that a document of the player’s abilities will be being worked on in the background to ensure that the right decision is made on the player when the time comes.