Brazil’s next centre-back? Vitor Reis wanted by Real Madrid, Liverpool & Arsenal

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Expert analysis 

The transfer window has closed for the top five leagues in Europe but planning will already be underway for January and beyond. Unearthing the stars of the future is a priority matter for all the biggest clubs in the world as they look to steal a march on their rivals. 

The South American market attracts scouts from clubs across the globe on a regular basis looking to find the next Vinicius Junior or Lionel Messi. Brazil is arguably the biggest hotbed of talent and Vitor Reis is the latest starlet to be attracting serious interest from the top European clubs. But who is the young defender? We’ve provided the lowdown on Reis with incredible insight from our Brazilian experts at Transfermarkt. 

Who is Vitor Reis? 

Reis is an 18-year-old currently playing for Serie A sign Palmeiras. The Brazilian top-flight club has arguably produced the best homegrown talent recently with Endrick officially joining Real Madrid this summer, Luis Guilherme moving to West Ham and Chelsea have secured the signature of protege Estêvão for next summer. Reis is naturally a centre-back but he can also be deployed at right-back and he’s already made ten appearances for Palmeiras in Série A this season. 

The Sao Paulo native is contracted at Pameiras until 2028 after penning a new contract this summer but he’s widely viewed as one of the best young defensive talents in South America – as explained by Transfermarkt’s Brazilian football expert Marcos Watts.  “Vitor Reis is the ‘newest’ defensive talent coming from the Brazilian Série A and is yet to receive a first market value – that will arrive by the end of September,” Watts said. “He seems to be following the footsteps of Murillo and Beraldo after playing for one of the “big four” clubs from the São Paulo state and quickly emerging as a top talent – a move to a top European side seems like a matter of time now. However, Reis is a different kind of player when compared to Murillo or Beraldo. He’s taller than both and right footed – but that doesn’t make him a “more common” player given his capabilities on and off the ball.”

Watts added: “Despite not being a very physical player, he’s very good in the air and has shown great awareness for an 18yo. He’s also very good on the ball, both for setting up the play from the back and for attacking – which has already been translated into two goals so early in his career. Another good mental attribute he’s already shown is his decision making – he knows where the spaces are and knows when to move forward or when to make a tackle, something that is quite remarkable for a player so young.”

Which clubs want to sign Vitor Reis? 

Reis is being tracked by the biggest clubs in Europe and his departure for Pamerias is inevitable, either in January or next summer. The Brazilian side protected their asset by extending his contract in August but Palmeiras’ asking price is unlikely to deter potential suitors. It’s understood that English Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool have dispatched scouts to watch Reis in recent months, while Chelsea are notoriously tracking the best South American talent but they recently secured the signature of Argentinian centre-back Aaron Anselmino. Real Madrid have enjoyed tremendous success recruiting from Brazil across recent seasons and they are reportedly admirers of Reis with centre-back an area of priority for the Champions League holders. Barcelona are also monitoring Reis’ development ahead of a potential move.