Man City ‘weighing up Vinicius Jr transfer bid from Real Madrid after setback in chase for Erling Haaland’
MANCHESTER CITY are considering a move for Real Madrid wonderkid Vinicius Jr, according to reports.
The winger, 21, is in electric form and City are said to have turned their attention to him after failing in their efforts to land Erling Haaland.
Spanish outlet, El Nacional, claim Pep Guardiola has contacted Vinicius Jr's agents directly to sound out a move.
They say that Man City have 'fixed' on the Brazilian as they search for a replacement for Ferran Torres, who joined Barcelona for £55million this month.
And with Raheem Sterling also repeatedly linked with a transfer away, Guardiola is preparing to make his move.
Vinicius Jr - who got the opener against Barca in the Spanish Super Cup semi final on Wednesday night - has scored 15 goals and assisted nine already this campaign.
Only the evergreen Karim Benzema has scored more for Los Blancos this season.
Madrid are five points clear at the top of La Liga and Vinicius Jr's play has been a big positive.
A sensational goal against second-placed Sevilla in November was perhaps the most memorable. The superstar controlled the ball with his chest on the left-wing and sent a rocket into the top corner.
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Madrid are supposedly hoping to avoid a repeat of the 'Robinho case', where parallels of a young Brazilian superstar can be drawn.
Robinho was a hot prospect for Madrid and asked for more money, only to be denied.
City swooped in on deadline day in 2008 to land Robinho and with Vinicius Jr similarly calling for a pay rise, they are keen not to make the same mistake again.
Premier League leaders City have been pursuing Dortmund striker Haaland for months, but he recently told fans that he 'will play here in Spain' during a recent trip to Andalucia.
Madrid are the favourites to seal his signature at the end of the season.