Manchester City There may still be a hunt for Palmeiras teenager Eduardo Conceição, but Brazil's latest revelations suggest that interest in the 16-year-old goes back much further than many realize - and that even includes Jurgen Klopp.
The young attacker has already attracted everyone's attention city, newcastle, arsenal, chelsea, liverpool and many major European clubs.
While clubs across Europe continue to establish themselves, a new story from Brazil reveals that Eduardo was generating serious interest even before he became a household name in youth football... and that includes a Liverpool legend.
Klopp tried early - Palmeiras said no
globo esporte Palmeiras academy head Joao Paulo Sampaio confirmed that Jurgen Klopp wanted to personally learn more about Eduardo during a visit to Brazil in early 2025.
Klopp, now responsible for football operations at the Red Bull GmbH network, watched Eduardo during the Copa Puma, an under-17 tournament in which the Palmeiras youngster scored three goals in two matches against Red Bull Bragantino.
Sampaio recalled asking Klopp about the player and even inquiring about a potential price.
"Klopp was there and wanted to meet him. He asked me how much he cost. I told him: 'You still don't have enough money to buy a player like this,'" He joked.
After this the Palmeiras official revealed something even more interesting. The Red Bull group did not stop to inquire.
Two proposals were rejected before the campaign started
According to Globo Esporte, Palmeiras turned down two separate approaches involving the Red Bull structure.
The first offer was around £6m (€7m). This was increased to approximately £8.5m (€10m) in a second attempt. No one came close to convincing Palmeiras.
The identity of the specific club involved was not disclosed. Given Klopp's role in overseeing football operations at the Red Bull network, interest could come from RB Salzberg, RB Leipzig, Red Bull Bragantino or another club in the group. Globo's report did not specify which route was being considered.
Sampaio explained that Palmeiras had already made a conscious decision to wait.
"They made two offers, but we wanted to wait. He was already attracting attention from people in Brazil and around the world who wanted to know more about him. Then he exploded at the Brazilian Youth Cup, and now with the national team. It's been a well-planned path."
Eduardo himself admitted that when he first heard Klopp's story he had difficulty believing it.
"I found out through my agent during dinner. We were talking about Joao Paulo and he remembered it. I couldn't believe it. I felt honoured. It's very gratifying for a coach of that level in Europe to be talking about me."
As the European race grows, Manchester City still leads the way
Whereas spanish report Brazilian coverage portraying Barcelona as favorites still impresses Manchester City as the strongest pressing club.
Recent reports have suggested that City are working on a package worth around £34m (€40m), while Palmeiras are looking for something closer to £43m (€50m) before seriously considering a deal.
Joao Paulo Sampaio also gave perhaps the clearest picture yet of the scale of interest.
"The Premier League, three clubs. Spain, Italy. Europe, the five big leagues, Portugal. There are clubs who want to enter this war."
The Palmeiras academy director then explained why so many teams are now looking to make the move.
"They want to complete the player's development. If he plays in the first team, he becomes more expensive. When they come now, it is a strategy to take him young, knowing that he will only leave at the end of 2027."
This logic helps explain what has happened in recent months. Manchester City is trying to pick up the pace. Manchester United has joined the race. Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been linked. Barcelona looms in the background.
The common theme is clear: Everyone knows the price can add up quickly once Eduardo Palmeiras becomes a regular part of his senior plans.
Palmeiras is preparing for the next step
The hype surrounding Eduardo has only increased following a strong performance at the South American Under-17 Championship, where he scored two goals and two assists in six games for Brazil.
In Palmeiras, preparations are already underway for the next phase of its development. Manager Abel Ferreira recently included him in the senior matchday squad, and the club is gradually preparing him for integration into the first-team environment.
There is also a new indication of how highly he is rated internally. According to Globo Esporte, Abel has already asked Joao Paulo Sampaio when he will be able to rely on Eduardo more regularly in the first-team routine after his performances for Brazil at the South American Under-17 Championship.
The answer appears to be: soon.
Palmeiras is already managing his minutes at under-20 level with an eye on future promotion. The plan is to gradually increase his performance in the senior environment while maintaining a competitive environment elsewhere.
For Manchester City and the rest of Europe's elite, that timeline matters. Each appearance for Palmeiras' first team has the potential to further increase his valuation.
