Man City pushing for Flamengo wonderkid Wesley as Pep Guardiola's side aim to beat Man Utd to Brazilian full-back

Wesley, born in 2003, has already established himself as a standout talent in South America. A regular starter for Flamengo, he has amassed over 125 appearances for the senior team and helped secure several domestic honours with the Rio de Janeiro-based outfit.

City’s admiration for Wesley appears to be rooted in his technical skillset, tactical awareness, and attacking intent — all traits that align perfectly with Guardiola’s footballing philosophy. According to Gianluca di Marzio, City are accelerating negotiations in hopes of finalizing an agreement in the coming weeks.

While City are pushing aggressively to secure the signing, they are not alone in the race. United have also expressed concrete interest in the Flamengo prospect. One complication that could delay any transfer is Flamengo’s desire to keep hold of Wesley until after the Club World Cup. The Brazilian giants are set to compete in the upcoming edition of the tournament, which will be staged in Miami following the end of domestic competitions. Club officials believe that the international exposure could further increase Wesley’s market value.

It had earlier been reported that, earlier this year, Flamengo rejected a proposal in excess of £20 million from Zenit St. Petersburg. The Russian club’s offer was turned down not only due to valuation concerns but also because Wesley was hesitant about a move to Russia, given the level of competition. Moreover, the young defender was on the brink of sealing a move to Serie A side Atalanta during the previous transfer window, but that deal fell through at the last moment. Now, City are making a strong push to bring him to the Etihad, particularly as Guardiola views him as a more attractive long-term option compared to Newcastle United's Tino Livramento.

Despite Flamengo’s reluctance to part ways with the player before the Club World Cup, City remain hopeful of reaching an agreement ahead of the tournament. Now, whether City can fend off United and complete the transfer remains to be seen, but the race is heating up fast.