Man City complete £29.4m signing of Vitor Reis from Palmeiras – as Brazilian wonderkid becomes Pep Guardiola’s second signing of the January window

Manchester City have completed the signing of Brazilian defender Vitor Reis from Palmeiras for a £29.4million fee.

Reis, 19, is widely regarded as one of South America’s most talented youngsters and is set to link up with Pep Guardiola’s side immediately rather than stay in Brazil for the Club World Cup. 

Brighton and several clubs across Europe had also been touted with an interest in Reis, but City stole a march to make the centre back their second signing of the January window after the £33m addition of Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov on Monday. 

Speaking after his move was completed, Reis, who will wear the number 22 shirt, said: ‘I‘m excited to join Manchester City, one of the biggest clubs in the world.

‘Everyone has seen the amazing achievements in recent seasons, and I want to make my mark as we seek more trophies.

‘Working with Pep Guardiola is something every young player wants to do, and I know he can help me to develop into the best player I can be.

‘City also have a lot of experience of working with Brazilian footballers and joining the likes of Ederson and Savinho in the squad will be a big help to me.’

Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: ‘Vitor Reis is one of the most promising young defenders in the world and we’re delighted to been able to bring him here.

‘In his short time in senior football in Brazil, he has shown he has the ability to go very far in the game and we know that working with Pep and our coaches will help to get the best out of him.

‘He is excellent on the ball and outstanding in the air – he has all the attributes needed to be one of the best.

‘Vitor is very young, but his quality is so high that we believe he can help us now and for a long time into the future.’

Palmeiras president Leila Pereira had confirmed City made an official bid earlier this month for Reis which fell short of their valuation but talks continued.

‘There was an official proposal from Manchester City but we are negotiating. I will not talk about the amount but it did not reach what Palmeiras wants,’ said the Palmeiras president.

‘But I’m not in a hurry. Vitor still has a long contract. We’re talking and if we reach a value that’s good for Palmeiras, for the athlete and for Manchester, OK. But for now, nothing has been decided.’

The signing of the 19-year-old, who can also play right-back, comes as a boost to City as Kyle Walker closes in on his move to Milan.

Vitor has played 22 times for Palmeiras, while he has also been a regular for Brazil’s youth teams, racking up nine caps for their Under 17 side. 

Mail Sport had reported last month that the Premier League champions were hopeful of landing three or four new recruits in all areas of a squad grappling with a constant injury crisis and struggles for form this season.

After the arrivals of Reis and Khusanov, City are hoping to finalise a transfer for Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush, while they are also weighing up a move for Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz. 

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