It's time for Palmeiras' gem in City's ranks

Over the last couple of years, Palmeiras have become a genuine breeding ground for talent, whose gems are fought over by European football giants that do not hold back on spending.

In 2024, Endrick joined Real Madrid from the popular Verdao for €60 million. Even though the deal was agreed two years earlier, the striker had to turn 18 before moving to the Spanish capital.

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Another product of Palmeiras' outstanding youth categories, Estevao, signed for Chelsea a year after Endrick for €45 million, though he had to wait a year before he could join his new team.

And now, it's apparently time for Manchester City to shop in the Verdao's store of youngsters. The modus operandi will be the same, as the Cityzens are allegedly close to striking a deal with the 16-year-old forward Eduardo Conceicao, aka. Dudu.

According to Brazilian ESPN, the club from Etihad beat the competition (Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona) and is willing to splash out €40 million for the new South American gem.

Since the boy is only 16, Palmeiras don't have to rush anything, as he cannot leave until he turns 18, either way. However, given Verdao's strong business relationship with Man City, as evidenced by the transfers of Gabriel Jesus in 2016 and Vitor Reis last year, it wouldn't be surprising if the two sides reached an agreement on Dudu's move.

ESPN Brasil also states that the coordinator of Palmeiras' youth categories, Joao Paulo Sampaio, revealed in an interview with Fala a Fonte that the club had recently rejected a €25 million offer for their new jewel, but that it expects more lavish bids in the future.

Dudu is currently with the Brazil national team at the U-17 South American Championship and regularly plays for Palmeiras U-20, though the Verdao first team boss Abel Ferreira plans to occasionally include him in the senior squad.