Which stars in South America could be heading to Premier League?

With the opening of the January 2025 switch window, there may be the prospect of extra gamers coming into the Premier League from South America.

Latin American soccer knowledgeable Tim Vickery takes a take a look at a couple of who might cross the Atlantic this month.

Igor Jesus (Brazil)
Membership: Botafogo | Age: 23

One of many tales of 2024, and an illustration of how glorious scouting has helped Botafogo develop into champions of Brazil and of South America simply three years after they have been within the second division.

A number of months in the past Jesus was a relative unknown, making a dwelling within the United Arab Emirates and below stress to naturalise and play for the native nationwide crew. Botafogo signed him on a free switch, he made his debut for the membership late in July and by mid-October he was Brazil’s first-choice centre-forward.

Jesus seems to be the entire package deal. Robust and cellular, he can maintain the ball up again to aim but in addition run in behind to obtain it within the channels.  He will be concerned within the build-up and in addition rating within the air and off the bottom. 

True, the objectives dried up by the top of 2024.  However because the relentless calendar took its toll, there have been loads of huge video games the place Botafogo needed to graft and sweat, equivalent to the ultimate of the Copa Libertadores, the place that they had a person despatched off after 30 seconds. Such antagonistic circumstances gave Jesus the prospect to indicate that he’s ready to get behind the ball and put in a defensive shift.

He was so spectacular final yr that there has inevitably been curiosity in signing him, with native media experiences suggesting that West Ham United had appeared on the entrance of the queue.

Vitor Reis (Brazil)
Membership: Palmeiras | Age: 18

Brighton & Hove Albion, who’ve an amazing document of scouting in South America, have reportedly made an enormous provide for this centre-back, who turns 19 on 12 January.

The south coast membership will discover two obstacles. One is that Palmeiras should not below stress to promote, and need to Reis for the FIFA Membership World Cup in the course of the yr. The opposite is that there are many different golf equipment chasing the signature of this stylish defender, with clear management potential who had a profitable introduction to first-team soccer in 2024.

Anyway, it’s doable {that a} transfer at this stage would possibly show untimely. Defenders are likely to mature later, and within the case of Reis he probably must fill out bodily earlier than he is able to do battle with Premier League strikers.

File this one, then, below the heading of “one for the long run”. That future, nonetheless, seems to be shiny if he can proceed to develop his composed tackling and distribution from the again.

Diego Leon (Paraguay)
Membership: Cerro Porteno | Age: 17

An attacking left-back who made an enormous impression within the second half of 2024. Leon solely made his senior debut for Cerro Porteno in August, and by September was already being linked with Premier League golf equipment. Arsenal have been the primary who have been reported to have an interest, with Manchester United apparently taking the lead since then.

A strapping lad with tempo and energy, Leon made a goalscoring debut and, coached by Francisco Arce, a wonderful attacking full-back in his time, has demonstrated a capability to provide crosses and in addition to interrupt into the field on the far publish.

He might be attempting to neglect a spectacular long-range personal aim towards Sportivo Luqueno, however he can chalk that right down to inexperience. And, too younger to maneuver in January, he can decide up extra expertise at dwelling within the subsequent few months, each within the Paraguayan league and within the Copa Libertadores.

Keny Arroyo (Ecuador)
Membership: Independiente del Valle | Age: 18

If Arroyo will not be on the radar of Premier League golf equipment, then he definitely needs to be. His membership boast a superb latest document of youth growth, having produced each Moises Caicedo and Kendry Paez, the teenage surprise who will be part of Chelsea in the summertime.

Arroyo is that this yr’s discover. He went into 2024 with one senior look to his identify and ended it coming off the bench in a few FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Ecuador head coach Sebastian Beccacce referred to as him as much as be a part of a sparring crew to coach towards the senior facet, and he did so effectively that he was immediately promoted.

An incisive winger who is robust, fast and skilful, Arroyo is left-footed and most frequently used slicing in from the best. One other season of consolidation could be preferable, however it’s onerous to see him staying lengthy in Ecuador.

Richard Rios (Colombia)
Membership: Palmeiras | Age: 24

This midfielder was found taking part in a futsal match in Brazil, transformed to the 11-a-side code and after a few golf equipment and an injury-hit spell in Mexico, made his identify in 2023 with the Palmeiras crew that received the Brazilian league. As a consequence, Rios compelled his means into the Colombia facet and, if something, has been much more efficient for nation than for membership.

A rangy determine, he has excelled as a member of Colombia’s disciplined central midfield trio, snapping in with tackles to win the ball, and in possession displaying a sound vary of passing plus the capability to provide you with the surprising. A fierce shot signifies that he has a aim in him, too.

Rios is a late developer, and by the requirements of the up to date market he could also be slightly outdated for a transfer to Europe. He has, nonetheless, been attracting Premier League curiosity, and could also be in a rush to power a transfer.

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