Real Madrid sign 16-year-old Vinícius Júnior from Flamengo for £39.6m

Real Madrid have reached a deal with the Brazilian side Flamengo to sign forward Vinícius Júnior in July 2018, the Spanish champions announced on Tuesday. Vinícius has just one senior appearance for Flamengo, making his professional debut just 10 days ago in a league game against Atlético Mineiro.

The deal for the 16-year-old is worth €46m (£39.6m), which would make him the second most expensive signing from the Brazilian league in history. The most costly is Barcelona’s Neymar, who moved from Santos in 2013 for an estimated €86m, a player Vinícius has been likened to. Barça were also interested in Vinícius but were unsuccessful in their attempt to sign him.

Vinícius only signed a new contract with Flamengo last week, which extended his deal through to July 2019 and raised his buyout clause from €30m to €46m.

Madrid explained in a statement that they will own the rights to the Brazilian from July 2018, when he turns 18, but he will remain at Flamengo until July 2019 unless both sides agree otherwise.

The teenager has made 22 appearances for the Brazil Under-17s, scoring 19 goals, and was the best performer at the South American Under-17 Championship, at which his Brazil side were crowned champions and he was the leading goalscorer with seven goals.

Real described Vinícius on their website as “one of the brightest young talents in world football, a skilful, pacy attacker who is able to go past players and has an eye for goal”.