Going from the blazing hot beaches in Southern Brazil to the freezing cold of North London is likely to be some culture shock, but that may just be what awaits Santos full-back Souza this January. Brazil has become a popular shopping ground for young talent for Premier League teams in recent years and the 19-year-old defender could be the latest to make the move as a teenager. He has a current market value of €5 million.
According to reports, Tottenham are set to make an improved offer to Santos for Souza after seeing an initial €9.2m bid rejected. The Brazilian is thought to be keen to move on with several other European clubs also enquiring, including AC Milan. Newcastle are also thought to be interested but haven't launched any bid yet. With expert insight from Brazil, we bring you more on the Tottenham target, what he could bring to the Premier League, and what it may take to seal a move this January.
What type of player is Souza?
Thiago Rabelo is a very well respected journalist and part of Transfermarkt's team in Brazil. He has been watching Souza's development closely and tells us more about what kind of player he is: "Souza is the typical Brazilian left-back. He's fast, quick, and very offensive. What I like most about him is his speed and courage in attacking spaces. As he is so fast, his dribbling is always at speed, a very important characteristic for a full-back."
That description may leave Spurs fan's brimming with excitement, but there are some areas for improvement, as Rabelo explains: "Souza still has a lot to develop. I still see him with physical and defensive weaknesses. The last Brazilian Championship shows how much room he has for growth. He started the year on the bench and, halfway through, became an important player for Neymar's Santos to avoid relegation."
In the last decade we have seen many young Brazilian talents leave their homeland for the riches of European football as teenagers. Some have been resounding successes. Other haven't worked and have soon returned. Rabelo admits this theme is becoming a concern: "I don't see him ready for European football. He's not even established in Brazil yet. This has been a big problem for many young players in Brazil. They leave the country very young and without establishing themselves at their formative club. Souza is a player who doesn't arrive in Europe fully formed, but he is a player with a lot of potential to develop."
So what would it take for Tottenham to prize Souza to London this winter? "Despite the difficulties of 2025, Santos should experience better days this year and don’t have to sell players for low prices," explains Rabelo. "Last year, the club already rejected offers of €10m for the player and that's not expected to change. Brazilian football has been experiencing strong growth in value and, consequently, more expensive sales." Souza certainly looks like an exciting prospect for the future, but he is unlikely to be someone who will come in and have an immediate impact in the Premier League.