Man Utd scouts attend Internacional fixture to watch 19-year-old Brazilian prospect Ricardo Mathias but Red Devils face competition from Premier League rivals

Mathias, who came off the bench during the midweek match, caught the eye of United’s scout, Alexandre Torres. Torres, a former player himself and the son of Brazilian football icon Carlos Alberto Torres, was in attendance as part of his official duties for Manchester United.

Before United’s approach, Mathias had already garnered attention from European giants and domestic investors. PSV Eindhoven had expressed interest in bringing him to the Eredivisie, and two Brazilian investment groups had also made attempts to secure his services. However, none of these efforts materialised into a concrete move. Another Premier League club, whose identity remains undisclosed, has already taken steps to signal their seriousness by submitting a letter of intent. 

Standing at 1.92m, Mathias is a physical presence on the pitch. Despite his size, he possesses impressive pace and agility, qualities that make him a constant threat to defenders. He has drawn comparisons to some of the best in the business, with his playing style often likened to that of Robert Lewandowski. Like the Bayern Munich star, Mathias is adept at finding space, dropping deep to receive the ball, and working in combination with teammates.

Since making the switch from Nova Iguacu to Internacional in 2022, Mathias has made a positive impression in his limited appearances. He has featured in 17 senior matches for the Porto Alegre-based club and scored three goals. 

Mathias’s rapid development has led to a sharp increase in his market value. Just a year ago, he was valued at €1 million, but his performances have seen that figure rise to €4 million in less than twelve months. Furthermore, Internacional has tied him down to a contract that runs until 2028, with a release clause set at €65 million (£56m/$75m).