Real Madrid is looking to repeat its strategy of bringing in young Brazilian talent. After the successful signing of Endrick, the club has shown a strong interest in another rising star from Palmeiras: Vitor Reis, an 18-year-old defender who’s already making waves in South American football.

Vitor Reis made his professional debut on June 27, 2024, in a tough match where Palmeiras lost 3-0 to Fortaleza in the Brasileirão. Even though he only played the last five minutes of that game, his performances since then have been impressive, racking up 10 appearances between the league and the Copa do Brasil, and even scoring two goals along the way.

With 826 minutes under his belt, the young center-back has quickly become a key player in the defense of the reigning Brasileirão champions.

What sets Vitor Reis apart isn’t just his 1.86-meter frame, but his mature and composed playing style, which belies his age. He’s a right-footed center-back with a knack for playing out from the back. Despite still developing physically, Reis has stood out for his ability to dominate the field with elegance, proving effective even without brute strength.

Since joining Palmeiras’ youth academy in 2016, Vitor Reis has been seen as a natural leader, a quality that shone through when he captained Brazil’s U-17 team to victory in the South American Championship last year.

The strong relationship between Madrid and Palmeiras, solidified after the Endrick transfer, could make negotiations for this promising defender easier. According to sources close to the matter, there have already been contacts between the two clubs, suggesting that Madrid is ready to make a move to ensure Reis joins the list of young talents who’ve made the leap from Brazil to Europe.

However, the hurdle for Los Blancos is Reis' recent contract renewal with Palmeiras, which includes a $100 million release clause, making it difficult for the Brazilian club to let him go early without securing a hefty payout. Vitor Reis could follow in the footsteps of great Brazilian players who’ve shined at the Santiago Bernabéu and establish himself as a future star in Real Madrid’s defense.