Arsenal sporting director Edu is now jostling to position the Gunners well to beat Real Madrid to the transfer of 16-year-old Palmeiras and Brazil U17 winger Estevao Willian.

That is according to 90min, which reports that Arsenal are among the Premier League teams to show an interest in Estevao. Even though the Palmeiras prospect is yet to make his senior debut. He has only ever played for the Sao Paulo natives at the Under-17 and U20 levels yet.

Estevao joined the academy fold at Palmeiras in 2021 after first plying his trade in the youth ranks at Cruzeiro. His move from Belo Horizonte to Sao Paulo has since brought the forward into Brazil’s U17 team. Estevao also now has some of Europe’s elite monitoring his progress.

Arsenal fear Real Madrid in the fight for Estevao’s transfer

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are now fighting to position themselves in the race for Estevao’s transfer. But the Premier League trio also accepts that they may face a tough effort to induce him to ignore Real Madrid’s interest. The Galacticos are keeping close tabs on him.

Estevao’s suitors acknowledge that Real Madrid are the favourites for his services having put themselves at the forefront of bringing Brazilian talents to Europe and succeeding. Endrick is set to be the latest prospect to make the switch when he joins them from Palmeiras in 2024.

Real Madrid must wait until Endrick turns 18 to welcome him to Spain. They would also have to wait until 2025 to welcome Estevao, who also does not turn 18 until that April. By then, it is likely his signature will not belong to Palmeiras, who sold Endrick last December for £52m.

Estevao has Europe’s elite on alert before his senior debut

Real Madrid triggered a release clause in Endrick’s contract with Palmeiras. Los Blancos paid £30.5m upfront with the other £21.5m set in add-ons. It remains to be seen how much sides will have to pay for Estevao, who also has suitors from Barcelona, Inter Milan and Juventus.

Barcelona, Inter and Juventus have scouted Estevao in action for Brazil’s Under-17 side. The winger has Europe’s elite licking their lips without playing a single second of senior football. Arsenal are one of the sides with Brazilian chief, Edu, keen to bring Estevao to north London.

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