Nottingham Forest now have another Brazilian wonderkid on their transfer shortlist ahead of next season.
Right now, you’d be forgiven for thinking George Syrianos is playing a real-life version of Football Manager.
South American? Check. Wonderkid? Check. Under the age of 21. You bet!
Forest landed Murillo for just £10.4 million last season, beating off competition from Manchester City for the youngster.
Shortly after, the club signed Andrey Santos on loan from Chelsea – although that deal didn’t quite work out.
In January, Forest were at it again, with Giovanni Reyna – renowned as a wonderkid on Football Manager – joining the club on loan.
Again, that one didn’t really work out but there is a clear pattern emerging when it comes to the transfer policy at Forest.
Now, another player meeting the wonderkid is on the radar of Forest with the summer transfer window now open.
Nottingham Forest want Brazilian gem Riquelme
This is an intriguing one to say the very least – with Forest flexing their charm in South America once again.
According to UOL, Forest have made an offer of £2.5 million to sign Palmeiras striker Riquelme.
The deal would include a further £5 million in the way of add-ons and Forest hope to beat PSG and Porto to his signature.
Palmeiras have not accepted this deal as they’re waiting to see whether or not the other clubs come forward with firm offers.
Riquelme could be on the move this summer, with Forest seemingly in the hot seat at the moment.
If the player does swap Palmeiras for the City Ground he would join Gustavo Scarpa and Danilo in making that particular switch.
Who is Riquelme?
Well, his full name is Riquelme Fillipi Marinho de Souza and he was born in Santo Andre in 2006.
The 17-year-old has yet to sample men’s football and this signing would likely be deemed one for the future.
Riquelme can operate on either side of the pitch and notoriously plays as a lung-busing winger for the Palmeiras under-20 outfit.
During the 2023/24 campaign, he made 14 appearances for the youth team, scoring four goals and claiming one assist.
Newcastle have courted the talented wonderkid previously but right now it doesn’t say that they have made a bid.
Riquelme would undoubtedly arrive at Forest as a bit of an unknown quantity but given his wonderkid status, it would be an exciting one for sure.
