Gabriel Jesús is one step closer to pulling on the famous white strip of Real Madrid. Alexandre Mattos –sporting director at Palmeiras – is currently in Spain according to the Brazilian dailies Lance and Globesporte, with the intention of negotiating a deal with Los Blancos, although a time and place for the meeting is yet to be confirmed.

Discussions over the player, say the papers, already began in Brazil after the club launched a late operation for the 19-year old, something which now seems to have turned the situation in their favour. “Gabriel Jesús to the Bernabéu” is the conclusion now being made in the Brazilian media.

€24 million buy-out clause

The striker – who is also being chased by Barça, Manchester United and Bayern – has a buy-out clause of €24 million. Jesús though reportedly wants to finish the current season with Palmeiras (4 December), not only to try and win the Liguero title, but also become the youngest ever top-scorer in Brazil’s top flight, having bagged 14 goals already. And while, Real Madrid have seen enough of the player to make him their man, they will request that Jesús stays at Palmeiras for an extra season in order for to develop further.

The operation, however, could be a little inconvenient given the complex nature of his rights, with agents owning 55%, the club 30% and Jesús himself 15%. Los Blancos would need to shell out an extra €10 million in commissions to seal the deal this summer.

Rio Olympics

A chance for Gabriel Jesús to show what he can do on the international stage will come next month at the Rio Olympics, after Brazil coach Rogério Mica included him in his squad to the surprise of absolutely nobody. Such is the grand promise that Jesús has shown at club level as well as in the national side’s under-21 category that he was also set to make Brazil’s squad for the recently concluded Copa America. In the end, Dunga was unable to pick him as he didn’t have the necessary paperwork ready to enter the United States.