Juventus Could Pair Cristiano Ronaldo With Brazilian 'Breakout Star' But Situation Deemed 'Complicated'

Juventus is looking to swing a deal for a teenage soccer prodigy from Serie A.

Santos striker Kaio Jorge has taken Brasileirao by storm and has now captured the attention of top European clubs including Juventus.

The reigning Italian top-flight champions are eyeing to pair Jorge with Cristiano Ronaldo as they keep tabs on one of Brazil’s “breakout star,” Italian outlet Il Bianconero reported.

According to the report, Juve has been monitoring Jorge’s situation “for several months” now but has recently found competition in fellow Serie A side AS Roma.

Jorge’s contract with Santos is set to expire in December this year. However, things might not be as smooth as expected as the club’s president Andres Rueda earlier admitted that the striker’s situation is “complicated.”

“Kaio's situation is also complicated, a cucumber for us to peel,” Rueda told Baixada Esporte last month (via ESPN). “It is three or four months from entering that period that he [Jorge] can sign a pre-contract with another team and leave for free, leaving nothing for Santos.”

“We have been negotiating for more than a month with players and businessmen to consider,” he continued. “The biggest goal is not to sell [Jorge], it is not to lose a player that the club has invested, believed in, and given free space for free. It is our priority. Once the contract is renewed, we have to see why the player is very targeted in Europe.”

Fortunately for Santos, the renewal of Jorge’s contract is now progressing. Apparently, the teenager’s representatives are already in discussions with the Brazilian top-flight club.

It seems that “little by little,” Santos is closing in on re-signing Jorge, Portuguese publication UOL reported.

As for Juventus, the said progress will be another major setback in the pursuit of Jorge. Atop that, his fine form also drew attention from English Premier League clubs Chelsea and Arsenal, adding tougher competition for Andrea Pirlo’s side, 90min reported.

According to the famed soccer news outlet, the Blues and Gunners have already “made contact” with Jorge’s agent Giuliano Bertolucci.

The reported advancement from the two Premier League clubs comes in the wake of a failed negotiation between the player and Inter Milan, another Serie A club recently linked to Jorge.

Jorge has undeniably become a highly-regarded player in Brazil. To date, the 19-year-old has already bagged nine first-team goals to his name.