Manchester City are eyeing a move to sign a certain "Brazilian Erling Haaland" with a £87 million ($117m) release clause as Pep Guardiola's side look to the future. His name is Wendeson Wanderley Santos de Melo, better known simply as Dell. Just 17, the striker from Bahia is already being whispered about as Brazil’s next superstar, but he has plenty of time to reach his potential.
City’s next big thing: A Brazilian wonderkid lighting up the future
The buzz around Dell is growing in Brazil. After making his senior debut earlier this year, still only 16, Dell has gone from local prodigy to global prospect in the blink of an eye. Those who’ve seen Dell play appear to believe that he’s got the cold-blooded finishing instincts of Haaland, but with a Brazilian flair. During the 2023 season, in Bahia's academy, he smashed home 40 goals in 34 matches for the Under-17 side, before following that up with another 12 goals in 21 games the following year. His heroics helped Bahia capture their first Baianao Championships and turned him into a cult figure overnight. It wasn’t long before the locals gave him his now-famous nickname, “The Haaland of Sertão”, a nod to his ruthless efficiency in front of goal and his roots in Brazil’s rugged northwestern region.
AdvertisementFrom national hero to global phenom
Dell’s lethal finishing earned him a place in Brazil’s youth national setup, and he repaid that faith in style. At the U15 South America Championship, he bagged four goals and two assists, picking up the Golden Boot. Then, earlier this year, he fired Brazil to victory in the U17 edition of the same tournament, underlining his ability to perform when the stakes are sky-high. Next stop? The U17 World Cup in Qatar this November, where Dell is expected to be one of the main attractions. Scouts from across Europe will be in attendance, but City already have an inside track. Bahia aren’t naïve about the gem they’re sitting on. The club recently moved fast to lock Dell down with a professional deal until 2027, including a jaw-dropping £87 million ($117m) release clause, a figure that speaks volumes about how highly he’s rated. Behind the scenes, Dell is represented by Giuliano Bertolucci, one of Brazil’s most influential agents and a man known for delivering his clients to Europe’s elite. And for City, the road is smoother than most, their owners, the City Football Group, hold a 90 per cent stake in Bahia, making any future negotiations far more straightforward.
Already dreaming of the Etihad
In an interview with Dell made his ambitions crystal clear.
"Every player dreams of playing at a high level in Europe," he said. “I have this dream of playing for a club like Manchester City, which for me is the best club in the world. But I believe things will happen naturally. Before that, I want to play here at Bahia, win titles, become an idol, and then go on to forge my path in Europe. Who knows, maybe win titles and become an idol at Manchester City too.”
While comparisons to Haaland have become impossible to avoid, Dell takes them in stride.
"Haaland is an inspiration to many. He’s a guy whose videos I enjoy watching, both outside and inside the box," he said. “I think my movements are similar to his. I have a few other role models, but besides Haaland, a striker I like and have always followed since the youth academy is [Al-Hilal striker] Marcos Leonardo, who came through Santos. I enjoy watching him play.”
So while Haaland himself remains City’s undroppable hero, Dell could be shaping up to become his heir in the years to come.
GOAL/GettyMadrid plotting: The other side of the story
But while City plan for their future, another European powerhouse is busy scheming. Over in Spain, Real Madrid are preparing for a seismic shake-up. Reports claim the club could cash in on Vinicius Jr for a staggering €250 million (£217m/$290m) if he doesn’t sign their new contract offer. And if that bombshell move happens, Madrid president Florentino Pérez already knows who he wants next, Haaland himself. The Spanish giants have been tracking the Norwegian goal machine since his Borussia Dortmund days.
