Everton have reached an agreement with Flamengo for teenage midfielder Reinier, according to Esporte Interativo.
The Blues were understood to have emerged as a realistic destination for the 17-year-old earlier this month, after Toffees chiefs met with Flamengo executives Marcos Braz and Bruno Spindel and put forward a €40million (£36.6m) package including potential add-ons for his transfer.
It is now claimed that Everton have reached an agreement to pay the Brazilian outfit €40million in January, 2020 to acquire one of the Rubro-Negro’s brightest young talents, who had attracted interest from across Europe with Manchester City, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan previously mentioned.
The deal reached for Reinier is not finalised yet, however, and Esporte Interativo believe other European sides may present late competition for his signature.
Reinier cannot move to Europe until the turn of the year, as he does not turn 18 until January 19, 2020, at which point he can finalise his transfer to the Blues.
His performances at this summer’s U17 South American Championship, where he captained Brazil, led to many hailing him as one of the countries next big things, and drew comparisons with 2007 Ballon d’Or winner Kaka from his manager Dalla Dea.
“He’s the captain, which is something that means a lot to me,” explained Dea, as quoted by FIFA’s official website. “He’s extremely talented.
“He’s very committed to playing for the Selecao Brasileira. He gets satisfaction playing for our country. I firmly believe we’ll see him playing at a very high level overseas or here in Brazil for the senior Selecao.
“I see him as a [number] ten – a Rai, a Kaka. I see these characteristics in Reiner. He likes getting in the box, scoring goals. He scores goals from outside the box, like he did in the South American Championship against Paraguay and Colombia.
“I have so much belief in this player. He’s a kid, a youngster, but he’s very level-headed and because of this he’s our captain.”