Vitor Reis: Manchester City strengthens its defensive lineup by acquiring a highly regarded young player from Palmeiras.

**Guardiola Calls for More Summer Signings as City Bolster Defence with Reis**

In a move that could prove pivotal for Manchester City’s injury-stricken defence, the Premier League champions have secured the signing of 19-year-old Vitor Reis from Brazilian club Palmeiras for a reported fee of £29.4 million. The young defender has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal, providing a much-needed boost to Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Palmeiras president Leila Pereira revealed last week that City had initially approached the club for Reis, but their offer was deemed “not enough.” Pereira cited the club’s intention to retain the highly-rated teenager for their Club World Cup campaign. However, negotiations have since concluded successfully, allowing City to strengthen their backline at a crucial time.

“I’m excited to join Manchester City, one of the biggest clubs in the world,” Reis expressed upon his arrival. “Everyone has seen the amazing achievements in recent seasons, and I want to make my mark as we seek more trophies.”

The young Brazilian also highlighted the opportunity to work under Guardiola, stating, “Working with Pep Guardiola is something every young player wants to do, and I know he can help me to develop into the best player I can be. City also have a lot of experience of working with Brazilian footballers, and joining the likes of Ederson and Savinho in the squad will be a big help to me.”

City’s defensive woes have been exacerbated by the long-term absence of key midfielder Rodri, while John Stones and Ruben Dias have struggled with injuries throughout the season. Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji have also faced their own fitness challenges, leaving Guardiola with a depleted squad. This injury crisis has threatened to derail the champions’ campaign, as they experienced an unprecedented run of just one victory in 13 matches—Guardiola’s worst spell in management.

Reis is the latest in a line of promising talents to leave Palmeiras for Europe at a significant cost. The Brazilian club has also seen the likes of Endrick move to Real Madrid and Willian Estevao join Chelsea, further highlighting the growing trend of young stars making the leap to top European leagues.

As Manchester City look to navigate their way through a challenging season, the addition of Reis could be a crucial step in restoring their defensive solidity and ambitions for silverware.