Leeds United are in the race to sign Ituano attacker Martinelli alongside Middlesbrough and Watford, according to TEAMTalk.
The football outlet claim that Leeds and the Hornets are more interested in the Brazilian forward than Middlesbrough even though their former player Juninho, who is the president of Ituano, has been informing them of the player’s progress.
TEAMTalk report that the 17-year-old Martinelli is regarded as one of the best prospects in Brazil and already has an eight-figure price tag as he is currently commanding a fee of £10million.
Good move for Leeds?
Sort of.
To get one of the most promising prospects in Brazil on their books would certainly excite fans, but a £10million investment into a talented teenager does sounds like a gamble.
Also while that is the forward’s current price tag given that Middlesbrough and Watford are already lurking around him too, then he may cost even more.
This is especially the case when you consider that Globoesporte claimed in January that Barcelona and Manchester United had given the player some of their attention after he starting featuring for Ituano’s senior side.
However if you ignore the teenager’s potential price and just focus on the sort of teams chasing him, it does sound like it would be a coup for Leeds if they signed him.
This Is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
No.
With Barcelona, according to Globoesporte, still interested in the Brazilian forward and previously having had him train with them, it doesn’t sound Leeds should be the favourites to get his signature.
While the Whites have many selling points when it comes to attracting young promising talents, particularly if they win promotion this season, it would be hard to convince him to join them especially if Barcelona’s interest is legit.
Also you’d have to question whether the Whites would be willing to invest so much money in a 17-year-old who has only ever played his football in Brazil, as no matter how good he is doing in his home country, it doesn’t mean he’ll excel in Europe.
This Is Futbol rating: 1/10