Since taking over footballing activities at Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have made efforts to bring in young players that they believe will be able to develop into world-class talents.
In previous years, United have spent big on proven players, which, while it has its benefits, has put them far behind many of their Premier League rivals in terms of profits from player sales, which in turn has put them in a precarious position PSR-wise.
After bringing in Christopher Vivell, among other notable backroom figures, United have started scouting and bringing in promising players who had previously been relatively unknown, such as Sekou Kone, Enzo Kana-Biyik and Diego Leon.
The club is now hoping to continue this as they have identified a promising up-and-coming striker in Brazil.
United scouting Brazilian talent Mathias
Man Utd RATCLIFFE
Reports from Brazil, via Sports Witness, have revealed that Manchester United scouts were at Wednesday's 1-1 draw between Fluminense and Internacional. United scout Alexandre Torres, former Fluminense defender and son of Brazil legend Carlos Alberto Torres, was seen at the game scouting the young Brazilian striker Ricardo Mathias. Mathias came on in the 53rd minute for a subdued performance where he didn't manage many actions.
Torres was likely not the only scout there, as Mathias has been garnering attention from a number of European clubs. Sports Witness also shared that an unknown Premier League club has gone as far as submitting a letter of intent to Internacional to register their interest, with United potentially hijacking a top flight rival.
Additionally, there had been past interest from PSV as well as "two foreign investment groups in Brazil" but none of these were as advanced as the letter from the unknown Premier League club.
Wednesday's game would not have given Torres a true taste of Mathias' capabilities. If he also watched Internacionale on Saturday, then he would undoubtedly have left impressed with Mathias' promise, as his two goals were instrumental in his team's 3-1 victory over Red Bull Bragantino.
Mathias' breakout season
Mathias' performance against Bragantino may have fully solidified his place in his team's starting 11. Internacional are midway through their season, as the Brazilian league runs from March to December, and at the start of the campaign, Mathias was a regular feature on the bench and only sporadically seen on the pitch.
As the season has progressed, so have Mathias' minutes, and he has now received four starts, scoring four goals across those games. From 28 games in all competitions without a start to leading the line and bagging a brace, Mathias' development this season has undoubtedly gained him further international attention.
With United having only this week agreed a deal of up to £73.7 million for striker Benjamin Sesko, it seems unlikely that they would be willing to pay the £56 million release clause in Mathias' contract this summer. United are still hoping to buy a midfielder this summer and potentially another goalkeeper, which further throws doubt on this deal being completed this summer at the release clause value.
At only 19 years old, Mathias could become a long-term United target that the club could sign at a later date. Alternatively, United could attempt to negotiate Internacional down from their £56 million price tag. Both options come with risks, as paying now would likely decrease the funds available for other transfers this window, and waiting could allow for the unknown Premier League club to swoop in and sign him.