According to Calciomercato, Chelsea and Manchester United are keeping a close eye on the progression of Thiago Maia. The 20-year-old has been touted as a hot prospect, and shone during the Olympics and helped Brazil win a gold medal for the first time.
The 20-year-old is currently contracted to Santos until 2019, but the club is under immense pressure to keep a tight hold of him.
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PSG has been rampant in their chase for him, as they prepare to place a £17 million bid for the young starlet to push off any advances from Juventus. The Italian club themselves, are readying to prepare a £8.5 million deal. For PSG, however, bringing in the youngster is a good way to put a rest to rumours of Blaise Matuidi’s impending transfer.
Both Chelsea and United are closely monitoring the situation, as adding the 20-year-old to their star-studded teams wouldn’t hurt their prospects.
The ball-winning midfielder, who has drawn comparisons with former Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Redondo, entered the tournament at age 19. He was the second youngest player in the squad after Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus. The young Brazilian has competed against some of the best in Europe during his time at the Olympics, and he knows where he belongs now.
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Santos head coach Dorival Júnior would, however, prefer it if the youngster stayed with Santos: "There is a chance this boy will do well because he is a promising boy, who will surely have a very high development, he will be a top player in our country's football. But he still needs a longer period of stability, and it will only be achieved if he has consistency."
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Maia agent, Giuliano Bertolucci, who has PSG defender Marquinhos himself as one of his clients, may talk and persuade to make a move to either Paris or London. This has been made evidently clear after the youngster himself spoke to ESPN Brasil about his love for PSG.
“A lot of players say they want to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona but I identify myself with PSG. Contact? Not yet but I hope it happens one day. As I said, I identify myself with PSG and I have friends there. Marquinhos has told me what the club is like. It is clear he is happy there. If I go there one day, I will be very happy. I am leaving my future in the hands of my mother and my manager though.”
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