Eduardo Conceicao: Man City join pursuit of £87m-rated wonderkid, 16

Manchester City have joined the pursuit to sign Eduardo Conceição, the 16-year-old Palmeiras forward who is attracting interest from many of Europe’s top clubs.

Conceição is yet to make his senior debut for Palmeiras but has impressed so much at youth level that the likes of City, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Barcelona are vying for the teenager’s signature.

Scouts were impressed by Conceição’s recent performances in a regional under-20 cup called the Copinha, where he scored four goals and provided three assists in seven appearances, and he is starring in Brazil’s run to the latter stages of the South American under-17 championship in Paraguay at present.

Aware of the huge interest in Conceição, Palmeiras have put a price tag of €100million (about £87million) on the player. However, that is only a starting point for negotiations and the Brazilian club are expected to accept a lower fee for Conceição, who can play on the left wing or as an attacking central midfielder.

Some clubs have already tested the waters with bids of about £25million, although City’s valuation of Conceição is not known at present.

City have a good relationship with Palmeiras, having signed Gabriel Jesus and Vitor Reis from the Brazilian club during Pep Guardiola’s time as manager.

Guardiola has given his players two days off before Sunday’s top-of-the-table match against the Premier League leaders Arsenal.

The squad did a light recovery session at the City Football Academy on Monday, the day after their 3-0 win over Chelsea. Nico O’Reilly took part even though he hobbled off during the second half at Stamford Bridge on Sunday clutching his left hamstring.

City will decide over the next few days whether the 21-year-old is fit to play against Arsenal, who are six points ahead of Guardiola’s side and have played one more match.

Antoine Semenyo revealed after the Chelsea match that he had been racially abused on social media.

The winger posted on Instagram a message that he had received from another account, which used a racist term against him.

City are aware of the post and will offer their support to the winger if he needs it.

Click here to read article