Report: Arsenal now set to make bid for 'one of the best' talents around as talks over £29m deal advance

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The 2024/25 campaign is going pretty well for Arsenal so far – although the Gunners are still alert to opportunities to improve Mikel Arteta’s side.

Arsenal sit third in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League – losing just three of 23 games across all competitions.

Despite that impressive form – and the absence of a Sporting Director after Edu Gaspar departed Arsenal – Mikel Arteta is exploring the market for players who could improve his side, with a deal for Vitor Reis now looking likely.

Arsenal make progress in Vitor Reis talks

A story from Nosso Palestra now states that Arsenal are in constant discussions with the 18-year-old’s representatives ahead of a potential January move.

The Brazilian news outlet claim that Arsenal are expected to make a bid for Reis soon, with negotiations set to intensify across the coming weeks.

Palmeiras are said to be aware they could make more money from the teenager by selling him in the summer transfer window, although it is still believed that a January deal can materialise for the right price.

Reis – considered one of the best talents in Brazil – would offer Arteta a new option in the centre of defence, where many an injury absence has been seen lately in the form of Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Of course, the latter duo are more often used at full-back by Arsenal, although they can also play centrally, and their absence means the Gunners have no further backup options behind the current partnership of William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior.

Therefore, Reis would be a necessary addition.

How much Vitor Reis could cost Arsenal

Given his status as a top talent, Palmeiras want sufficient compensation if they lose the Sao Paulo-born gem.

TBR Football understand Reis could be signed for £29m – despite having an £83m release clause written into his contract – with Palmeiras open to discussing a deal similar to the one which saw Estevao Willian join Chelsea for £29m.

The South American wonderkid may even arrive to replace a current senior option, with Kiwior potentially leaving Arsenal in 2025 after struggling to dislodge Gabriel and Saliba from the starting XI since his £20m move from Spezia in January 2023.