Everton have become a realistic destination for Flamengo Under 20 attacking midfielder Reinier, according to Brazilian publication Globo Esporte.
The 17-year-old is yet to make a senior appearance for Flamengo, but is seen as one of the Rubro-Negro’s brightest youth talents, and has attracted the interest of Manchester City, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan.
However, we have stolen a march on the rumoured interested parties after meeting with Flamengo chiefs Marcos Braz and Bruno Spindel, where Everton executives are understood to have presented a serious offer for the teenage talent.
Braz and Spindel are currently in Europe to negotiate potential departures for Pablo Mari and Gerson, as well as acquiring Felipe Luis following his release by Atletico Madrid, but stopped off in England to hear what Marcel Brands and Marco Silva had to say.
Globo Esporte note that the Toffees have offered a combined package worth €40million (£35.9m), including potential add-ons and variables, which falls substantially shy of Reinier’s €70million (£62.8m) release clause.
Flamengo’s response to the offer is currently unclear, but the Brazilian side would be due 100 per cent of any funds raised by the midfielder’s departure and would retain the teenager’s services until he turns 18 in January 2020.
If Flamengo opt against selling Reinier this summer, Globo Esporte understand they will extend the Brazil U17 captain’s contract at the Maracana Stadium until the summer of 2024, as they are reluctant to losing him for free next year.
Reinier is currently with the Selecao’s junior set-up for friendlies with Paraguay on July 23 and 26, having overcome inflammation in his knee tendons.
Given the attacking midfielder is not yet a regular for Brazil’s senior squad, work permit issues would be a natural concern for Everton supporters given the circumstances surrounding Henry Onyekuru.
However, unlike the Nigerian, Reinier would stand a better chance of obtaining a permit to play in the UK through special dispensation given the rumoured €40million fee we would be paying to acquire his services.
Players joining from overseas are required to possess four Part A criteria points to obtain a UK work permit, and Reinier would receive three if the transfer fee is above the 75% mark of all Premier League transactions in the previous season, falling to two points if the figure is within the top 50% to 75%.
Five criteria points are required from parts A and B, on the other hand, and while Reinier’s lack of senior games for Flamengo could prove an issue, this could be bypassed if the midfielder remains at the Brazilian side until January and features regularly.
Here’s how these Everton fans reacted to news of Everton allegedly lodging a €40m bid for 17-year-old Brazilian midfielder Reinier…
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