Manchester United have reportedly touched base with Palmeiras to enquire about a deal for teenage striker Thalys.
The 19-year-old is still waiting to earn his senior debut for the Brazilian giants, but he is making waves for the Under-20s with three goals in five matches during the 2024 campaign so far.
Thalys, who stands at 6ft tall, now has a total of eight goals in 25 outings for Palmeiras' Under-20s in all competitions, and a first-team breakthrough is not thought to be too far away.
Even without a maiden senior appearance, Thalys is allegedly attracting interest from a handful of heavyweights across Europe, namely from Man United, Barcelona and Juventus.
Determined to fend off their continental rivals and win the race for the 2005-born striker, Jorge Nicola - via TEAMtalk - claims that the Red Devils have now contacted Palmeiras over Thalys's availability.
© Reuters
Affordable release clause in Thalys deal
New stakeholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is apparently driving Man United's interest in Thalys, who possesses a £34m release clause in his Palmeiras contract, which runs out in 2026.
The 19-year-old would therefore prove to be an affordable signing for the Red Devils, but they will supposedly not make their move until he has made his first-team debut for Palmeiras.
Furthermore, Man United are only said to have made tentative contact with the Brazilian counterparts, and it could still be some time before the 20-time English champions try their luck with a formal bid.
Should Thalys make the switch to Old Trafford in the future, though, he would follow a long line of Palmeiras talents to swap the Big Green for Europe, a list that will soon include Real Madrid-bound Endrick.
Gabriel Jesus, Danilo, Yerry Mina and Gabriel Veron also donned the Palmeiras colours before earning marquee transfers to Europe, and Man United's desire to sign a new centre-forward is no secret.
What other strikers are on Man United's shortlist?
© Reuters
While £72m summer signing Rasmus Hojlund has begun to find his feet in the Premier League after a challenging start, both Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood will seemingly be shown the exit door at the end of the season.
A new centre-back, left-back and midfielder are on Ratcliffe's wishlist, but replacing the aforementioned duo with a fresh face in attack is also a priority, and an approach is apparently being considered for Brentford's Ivan Toney.
Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen was supposedly under consideration too, but the signs are pointing towards the Nigeria international joining Paris Saint-Germain as a replacement for Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe's arrival at Real Madrid could have implications on the futures of Rodrygo and Joselu, both of whom are also rumoured to be on Man United's radar, although the latter is already said to have turned his nose up to joining the Red Devils.
Ben Knapton
