Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly won the race to sign Corinthians youngster Gabriel Moscardo, with the two clubs verbally agreeing a deal.
The 18-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season in the Brazilian top flight this year, playing 18 matches in Serie A, scoring once and providing one assist from the engine room.
Since his first-team debut 12 months ago, Moscardo has featured 25 times for Corinthians, attracting interest from a host of European sides with his performances.
The midfielder has relative international pedigree, having been called up for Brazil's Under-23s side, however the prospect is not said to be near the senior-team thinking at this stage.
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, PSG have raced ahead of a number of other European powerhouses to secure the services of Moscardo.
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The report claims that Les Parisiens and Corinthians have verbally agreed to a £17m deal for the midfielder, who is set to leave South America after just one full season of first-team football.
It is understood that the deal will include up to £1.7m in add-ons, based around the youngster hitting future milestones while in the European footballing ecosystem.
Moscardo will fly to Paris as soon as a formal agreement has been struck up between the two parties, with the 18-year-old set to play a part for PSG in the second half of the season.
A host of high-profile Premier League outfits have been touted with an interest in the Brazilian, with Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal all keen on the player.
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Mauricio Pochettino's Blues made an approach for Moscardo earlier in the year as they looked to recruit promising talent from South America once again, however the West Londoners have supposedly lost out in their pursuit of the youth international.
Chelsea have signed three Brazilian players in 2023, including Santos' Deivid Washington and Andrey Santos from Vasco da Gama for around £11m in January.
With first-team opportunities set to be limited at Stamford Bridge, 19-year-old Santos was sent out on loan to Nottingham Forest for the season, however the midfielder has managed just seven minutes of Premier League action and could be recalled.
Following a two-week break from competitive action, PSG will search for their first silverware of the season as they welcome Toulouse to Parc des Princes in the French Super Cup final - a game in which Moscardo could make his debut.
Carter White
