Real Madrid’s pursuit to keep on ripping up the top of Brazil’s youthful talent shows no indication of slowing. Having caught Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Reinier and Eder Militao lately, they’ve set their sights Sao Paulo feeling Igor Gomes.
The listing European champions might need to struggle for the 21-year-old midfielder’s signature, however, as none apart from arch-rivals Barcelona will also be monitoring his moves before a potential battle when the transfer window opens.
In 2016, whilst still only 17 he had been promoted to the club Under-20 rankings, winning the Copa do Brasil at childhood level before breaking through the first team at the end of 2018. Since that time he’s become a fixture at the Sao Paulo group, winning comparisons into some club idol of the past in Kaka because of his brilliant passing and danger around the playground — even in the man himself.
“It isn’t good to make comparisons, but it places a whole lot of strain on him but he does remind me a great deal of myself into his acting style,” that the World Cup-winner told me. Gomes is also eager to forge his own course and bases his match on a different celebrity, describing to Globo:”[Kaka] needed his livelihood and I have mine, that is starting today. I would rather not be tagged’Small Kaka’.
He assists in defence, scores, and helps, controls perform, orders the pace. I attempt to observe that and place the very best aspects of my local game.”
Gomes won’t come cheap. Sao Paulo, nevertheless, is realistic: the financial problems brought on by the Covid-19-imposed recess imply they’ve little alternative but to market if Madrid or Barca come calling. “I think it’s hard for him to remain much time as a result of his age and ability,” Tricolor trainer Fernando Diniz signalled to Radio Transamerica in April.
“Sao Paulo won’t escape [the crisis], nor will any Brazilian club. The clubs need to market to satisfy their fiscal obligations. Up to some point, the team will probably be nearly forced to market.
“Should you ask me what I need, it’s apparent: for him to remain as long as possible since he’s a player with talent that’s tough to see in Brazilian soccer, possibly on earth. He’s essential for all of us.”
The child’s profile as a natural attacking midfielder with impeccable technique and a knack for finding himself in the ideal place at the ideal time coming late at the box is appealing to both Clasico competitions, all of whom have proven a specific lack of incisiveness in assault points this year. Unlike preceding Madrid signings, furthermore, Gomes also boasts considerable expertise at senior level, racking up nearly 50 looks for Sao Paulo involving two stints at the Copa Libertadores.
Juni Calafat, the Madrid superb accounts accountable for the signing up of, amongst others, Rodrygo, Vinicius and Uruguay celebrity Fede Valverde, has been paying close attention to Gomes’ abilities as he’s risen up the rankings at Sao Paulo.
Barca are keeping their attention on the ‘New Kaka’, however, since the child’s agent Wagner Ribeiro, previously part of Neymar’s management group, supports, there are loads of different suitors elsewhere in Europe, telling ESPN in March: “You will find nightclubs such as Ajax, Sevilla and Barca who’ve shown interest in Igor.”
Madrid have made a point of registering for the future throughout the past few transport windows. Besides the above Brazilians, Valverde was snapped while still a teen from Penarol at Montevideo, while in Europe the likes of Martin Odegaard, Andriy Lunin and Brahim Diaz have come to ditch the Blancos rankings. Having an enviable flying network throughout the planet, especially in Brazil, also Florentino Perez’s accessibility to countless, the giants have a tendency to get their way when it concerns the transport industry.
This time, however, Barca look set to drive their Clasico adversaries all of the way for the hottest hot ability to come from Serie A. Gomes is earning a great deal of brand new fans in Brazil together with his calmness on the eye and ball for goal and come June attentions will merely grow over the cultured playmaker as Sao Paulo braces themselves to get a bidding war over his solutions.
