São Paulo confirm Real Madrid interest in midfield starlet Igor Gomes | OneFootball

On Monday, São Paulo executive director of football Rai confirmed Real Madrid’s interest in 21-year-old midfielder Igor Gomes.

Real Madrid have heavily invested in young Brazilian talent in recent years, splashing around €120m to bring in Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and Reinier.

However, there has yet to be an official approach from Los Blancos or any European outfit.

The Brazil U-23 international, who has been branded as ‘the new Kaka’, has been linked to Barcelona, Sevilla, and Ajax in the past due to his sensational form despite only having a meagre 31 league appearances to his name.

“It’s true. What we can say is that [Igor Gomes] is a player that is attracting the interest of European clubs,” Rai told GloboEsporte.

“But there has been no official contact. It is a reality that he is igniting interest.

“I have already spoken to European friends who have made comments, but that’s it.”

São Paulo general manager Alexandre Passaro also added that Gomes comes with the added value that he may not take up a foreign player roster spot in the near-future.

“There was no official approach from Real Madrid or any other club. What we do know is that Real Madrid knows and follows Igor, just as they certainly follow many other young talents around the world, including in our own squad.

“Also due to the possibility that Igor could get a Portuguese passport in the next six months, which would mean he would not take up a foreign player spot in a European club.

“But there is nothing going on.”

Last month, the agent of Igor Gomes, Wagner Ribeiro, claimed it was his ‘dream’ to bring his client to Real Madrid. Gomes is under contact until 2023 and has a reported €50m release clause.