Real Madrid will reportedly face stiff competition from Ligue 1 giants Lyon in the race to sign 18-year-old Brazilian whizkid Matheus Nascimento.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Matheus Nascimento is the subject of interest from Lyon over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The Ligue 1 giants have joined Real Madrid in the race to sign the 18-year-old Brazilian wonderkid from Botafogo.
Matheus Nascimento is one of the most promising young strikers in South America, with the player going from strength to strength while climbing through the ranks at Botafogo. The teenage prodigy joined the Brazilian club seven years ago and is now a regular feature for them as a budding first-team star.
The 18-year-old made his first-team debut for Botafogo in September 2020 and has since turned out 44 times for the Brazilian club, finding the back of the net eight times. But Nascimento might be due to embark on an adventure in Europe, with his exploits in his homeland capturing the attention of several clubs across the Atlantic, including Real Madrid and Lyon.
The reigning La Liga champions have been interested in Nascimento for several months, with the teenage wonderkid emerging as a potential long-term successor for Karim Benzema. While the French international has been Real Madrid’s talisman for a few years, he is well into his thirties.
Real Madrid will thus need to lay down a succession plan for Benzema, and their renowned exploits in the Brazilian market might land them another prodigious talent, this time as a replacement for the 34-year-old star striker. But Real Madrid will have to fend off stiff competition from Lyon to land Nascimento.
Lyon might cash in on Moussa Dembele in the summer transfer window. And amid his squad’s rebuild period, Peter Bosz might view Nascimento as an ideal replacement for the Frenchman, bringing the Ligue 1 giants into the picture. And Botafogo owner John Textor’s ownership of Lyon might help Les Gones beat Real Madrid to the Brazilian whizkid’s signature.
Crystal Palace might also get the chance to sign Nascimento, meaning Real Madrid might be fighting a losing battle in the pursuit of the 18-year-old. The reigning La Liga champions do not have a shortage of attacking targets, with Alvaro Leiva reportedly on the verge of joining Real Madrid.
