Real Madrid teenage defensive target breaks his silence on transfer links

Vitor Reis might be making his breakthrough in senior football at Palmeiras but the 18-year-old defensive prodigy has already put a host of top European clubs, including Real Madrid, on high alert.

Regarded as one of the most talented young centre-backs in Brazil, Reis has made 14 senior appearances for Palmeiras, even scoring a couple of goals in the process.

Real Madrid, for one, have taken an interest in the teenage defender as the reigning champions of Spain and Europe look to replenish their centre-back department next year.

Reis addresses Real Madrid rumours

Vitor Reis has already previously admitted that he desires to play in Europe in the near future.

However, during a recent interview, when asked about the interest from Real Madrid, the 18-year-old prodigy insisted that he is currently only focused on Palmeiras and not thinking about anything else.

“Today my thoughts are completely on Palmeiras, on making my history at the club. I try to think day by day, I’m still very young and I’ve only just started my professional career,” said Reis, as quoted by AS.

Real Madrid like Vitor Reis (L). (Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images)

“I want to win titles with Palmeiras and consolidate myself,” the teenager further added.

Real Madrid want Reis

As mentioned earlier, Real Madrid have taken an interest in Reis as they look to add more options to their defensive unit.

Currently, both Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are in their thirties and the latter is still recovering from an ACL injury, with no guarantees about the form he will show on his return.

Jesus Vallejo is not entirely favoured and will be out of contract at the end of the season, creating a vacancy in the centre-back position.

Reis is one of the prospects that Real Madrid are looking at, while they also have their sights on Valencia’s Yarek Gasiorowski.

It will be interesting to see if the interest in Reis materialises into something more substantial in the months to come.