Man Utd must pay €80m for Brazil’s next superstar: He plays like Adriano

Manchester United have been quoted an €80 million price tag for Vasco da Gama wonderkid Rayan.

The 19-year-old was the breakout star of the 2025 season in Brazil’s Serie A. Rayan notched 20 goals in 54 appearances across all competitions for Vasco da Gama and earned lavish praise for his performances.

In October, a Brazilian pundit favourably compared Rayan to former superstar Adriano and predicted that the teenager would go on to have a better career than the powerful forward.

Naturally, Rayan’s exploits have not gone unnoticed in Europe. For months, the youngster has been linked with various giants across the pond. Arsenal, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have been frequently associated with him.

Man Utd, too, have been occasionally linked with Rayan. The Red Devils’ interest remains, as per Eduardo Burgos, but the chances of a blockbuster transfer in January look slim.

Rayan not on the market in January

Rayan signed a new contract with Vasco last month, but it only runs until the end of the 2028 season because there is an acceptance that the forward will head to Europe sooner rather than later.

However, Vasco want to keep their wonderkid for a little while longer, at least until the summer. As far as they are concerned, a January move is out of the question.

It would require something extraordinary, like triggering his whopping new €80 million release clause, to secure his signature this winter. This is the price tag Man Utd are being quoted right now.

In the summer, it could be a different story. Previous reports indicated that Rayan could be available for a fee that is much closer to his actual value, although this is, of course, subject to change depending on how he performs in the opening stages of the 2026 season.

Vasco’s campaign will kick off in the Rio de Janeiro state championship on 16 January, less than a month after their final game of 2025, the second leg of the Copa do Brasil final, which was lost to Corinthians.

This short turnaround illustrates quite clearly why they are desperate to keep hold of Rayan this month.

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