Both Chelsea and Arsenal had scouts in attendance to watch Palmeiras’ game with Fortalaza in their Brazilian Série A match in São Paolo at the weekend.
But whilst Chelsea were there partly to check on the progress of their future recruit, Estêvão, the main attraction was central defender Vitor Reis, who has already been tipped as a future captain of Brazil.
Liverpool and Real Madrid have also been tracking him, whilst Brighton also had a representative at the match.
The 18 year old is still very raw – this was just his eighth senior club game, but he has already been named by one English newspaper as born in the year 2006 worldwide.
Chelsea have an avowed strategy of signing the best available South American talent, whilst Brighton have the reputation of recruiting undiscovered gems.
