Juventus Transfer News: Bianconeri Join Hunt for Vasco Da Gama Starlet Paulinho
Gill Clark@@gillclarky
Featured Columnist IMarch 28, 2018
Juventus have reportedly joined Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in the hunt for Vasco Da Gama starlet Paulinho.
The Serie A giants will monitor the 17-year-old's progress but are aware they face competition having previously missed out on players such as Gabriel Jesus and Vinicius Junior, per Jordan Russell at Calciomercato.com.
Paulinho is one of the brightest young talents in Brazilian football. Selecao Brasileira highlighted exactly why he is so highly regarded:
Seleção Brasileira @BrazilStatPAULINHO: Youngest player in Vasco's history to feature in the Brazilian league First player born in the 21st century to score in the Brazilian league His 3 goals helped Vasco return to Libertadores for the first time in 5 years Brilliant for the Seleção in WC U17 https://t.co/Wq2dO6CArq
The teenager made his professional debut in 2017 and has three goals and an assist this season. He is a versatile attacker who can play on either flank and has a maturity beyond his years.
Paulinho explained how featuring in different positions has helped improve him as a player.
He told FIFA.com: "I'm a striker, but I've also played at full-back and in midfield. Hence the versatility. Playing in different positions has added more vision to my game. So I can do a job for the team, wherever the coach asks me to play."
Barcelona are also tracking Paulinho who has a release clause of just €30 million, which is unlikely to put off Europe's top sides, per Sport's Jose Gonzalez.
Paulinho was an important member of the Brazil under-17 team that finished third at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in October. The forward featured in every one of his nation's seven games and contributed three goals.
Scouted Football highlighted how he impressed at the tournament:
Football writer Paulo Freitas also included Paulinho in his lineup when asked to name Brazil's best players under the age of 20:
Paulo Freitas @Cynegeticus@dburani83 Too many options but maybe: Gabriel Brazão (Cruzeiro); Vitinho (Cruzeiro), Walce (São Paulo), Bruno Fuchs (Internacional), Michael (Flamengo); Militão (São Paulo), Victor Bobsin (Grêmio), Fabrício Oya (Corinthians), Mateus Vital (Corinthians); Vinicius Jr (Fla), Paulinho (Vasco)
There seems little doubt Paulinho is a wanted man and has already attracted interest from some of Europe's top teams. However, he's still only 17, and it remains to be seen if clubs will be willing to make a move this summer or allow him to develop in Brazil for a little longer.