Rayan is set to complete a move to the AFC Bournemouth.placeholder image
Rayan is set to complete a move to the AFC Bournemouth. | AFP via Getty Images
Spurs were reportedly in talks over a move for the Vasco da Gama forward earlier this season.
Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are set to be beaten to the transfer of highly rated Brazilian youngster Rayan by Premier League rivals AFC Bournemouth.
The 19-year-old is keen to come to the top flight and had been linked with several clubs over recent months. Rayan has reportedly been absent from Vasco da Gama training this week with the transfer to the Vitality Stadium imminent.
Vasco outlet NT Vascainos had claimed that Spurs were in talks with the Brazilian outfit in September and the North London club have also been linked with interest this month. Transfermarkt still linked Tottenham Hotspur with Rayan last week, alongside Real Madrid.
Spurs, Man Utd and Newcastle United all set to miss out on transfer
Meanwhile, our sister site 3AddedMinutes named the player as a target for Manchester United, as well as Spurs. The Shields Gazette also claimed that a bid from Newcastle United was also ‘imminent’ for the player.
However, it is AFC Bournemouth who appear to have won the race for the player, who has featured just once for Vasco da Gama this season. Rayan bagged a brace in the Campeonato Carioca season opener against Marica, before being excluded from the squad last weekend.
Taking to social media platform X on Wednesday morning, journalist Mark McAdam wrote: “BREAKING!!! Bournemouth have agreed a deal IN PRINCIPLE with Vasco da Gama for winger RAYAN after intense talks in last 24 hrs. €35m. Rayan’s desire to join #afcb and play in the PL have been key to getting the deal done as the club negotiated his complex ownership structure.”
Fabrizio Romano also reported the agreement, with an update on the upcoming medical. He wrote: “Rayan to Bournemouth, here we go! Deal verbally agreed in principle for Brazilian winger to join #AFCB from Vasco. €35m package verbally agreed with documents being checked and exchanged today. Bournemouth, scheduling Rayan’s medical later this week if all goes to plan.”
AFC Bournemouth find Antoine Semenyo replacement
That’s a huge boost to AFC Bournemouth, who sit 13th in the Premier League, one place and one point above Tottenham Hotspur. The Cherries are in need of replacing the impetus lost by Antoine Semenyo this month.
The 26-year-old completed a £62.5 million move to Manchester City. The £30 million invested in Rayan is less than half of that transfer fee banked.
Rayan can play as both a central striker and a winger, and can be viewed as a long-term replacement for Semenyo. The forward bagged 14 goals in 34 Série A outings in 2025 and finished as the top scorer in the Copa do Brasil, winning the division's Best Newcomer award.
In other news, 'Advanced Talks': West Ham to loan player who just put in 7/10 performance v Tottenham.
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