Gabriel Veneno: United make transfer stance clear on Brazilian prodigy | OneFootball

Manchester United are continuously on the lookout for emerging football talents from across the globe. The Red Devils have revamped their transfer strategy of late and the focus is now on budding players who have the potential to become household names.

The English giants have failed to win the Premier League for more than a decade, and are already working to build a squad that can get them back to their heyday.

However, INEOS also has an eye on the future, and is keen to strengthen the team’s core with timely youthful reinforcements. It now appears that they have unearthed another gem in Brazil.

United eyeing Gabriel Venemo

According to TEAMtalk, United have set their sights on Atletico Mineiro attacking prodigy Gabriel Veneno. The report states: “Manchester United have quietly accelerated their background work on Brazilian sensation Gabriel Veneno, with the Atletico Mineiro prodigy rapidly emerging as one of the most talked about teenagers in South America.”

“Sources in Brazil have confirmed to TEAMtalk that Man Utd are now one of several Premier League giants tracking the forward’s progress closely, with internal reports describing him as a ‘generational’ attacking talent.”

“The Red Devils have been compiling detailed scouting assessments and maintaining regular contact with intermediaries as they position themselves early in the race.”

The report adds that the Brazilian club has moved quickly to tie the 16 year old down to a new contract until 2028. An immediate transfer is not possible either, because, as per FIFA rules, he can only move to the UK once he turns 18.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are other Premier League clubs who have enquired about the teenager, who has previously been hailed as the ‘new Neymar’. Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Bayern Munich are also among the player’s suitors.

A teenage goalscoring phenomenon

Veneno recently turned 16 but has already caused a stir in the football circuit across Brazil. Last year, the young forward became the first player in the history of youth football in the country to score more than 80 goals in a calendar year.

The teenager’s ability to dominate his age group, his physical maturity, and his goalscoring prowess have already endeared him to clubs in Europe, but the report adds that his entourage remains calm about the situation.

“Those close to the player are fully aware of the growing interest, and while no formal negotiations can take place yet, the next 12–18 months are expected to be crucial. Veneno’s camp are said to be ‘calm but attentive’, knowing that his trajectory could make him one of the most sought after South American exports of the decade.”

Final Thoughts

United’s recent tryst with goalscorers has not been pretty. Marcus Rashford is the only player to reach the 30-goal barrier in a season since the 2012/13 campaign, when Robin van Persie hit that exact same number and powered the Red Devils to the Premier League title.

As such, the English giants’ desire to focus on the position is commendable. If United do manage to win the race for Veneno, it could prove to be a masterstroke in a few years.

Featured image Christopher Furlong via Getty Images

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