Aston Villa have reportedly entered the fiercely competitive race to sign highly-rated Brazilian attacking midfielder Allan Andrade Elias from Palmeiras during the January transfer window.
The Midlands club are understood to be showing serious interest in the 21-year-old, who is also being tracked by Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Everton, as well as Italian champions Napoli.
Villa's South American Scouting Mission Intensifies
Villa's pursuit of Allan comes shortly after they secured the signing of another Brazilian prospect, Alysson Edward, from Gremio for approximately £10.5 million earlier this month. This suggests a clear strategy of tapping into the South American market for emerging talent.
The potential move for the winger is also developing amid reports that current Villa attacker Donyell Malen could be nearing a £25 million switch to AS Roma. Malen has contributed seven goals and two assists this season, and his departure would create a need for additional attacking options, especially with a congested fixture list ahead.
Who is Allan Andrade Elias?
Allan is considered one of the brightest talents in Brazilian football. A product of the Palmeiras youth academy, he was recently honoured with the prestigious Bola de Ouro award, recognising him as the best breakthrough talent in the country.
Since breaking into the first team in 2025, the right-sided midfielder has made an impressive 56 senior appearances, registering four goals and six assists. His performances were instrumental in Palmeiras finishing second in Brazil's top division last season.
He is under contract with the Sao Paulo club until 2029 and is viewed as a crucial asset for their future.
A High-Stakes Transfer Battle
Palmeiras value their young star extremely highly. Reports from Spain indicate that Napoli have already seen an offer of around £30.3 million rejected this month, demonstrating the Brazilian club's firm stance.
While Allan has a reported release clause of £86 million, it is not expected any suitor will meet that figure at this stage of his career. However, with multiple Premier League clubs circling, a significant fee will still be required to secure his signature.
If Villa decide to formalise their interest with a bid, they will face stiff competition, not only from Napoli but also from domestic rivals Newcastle United, Everton, and West Ham United, who have all been linked with the player.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Aston Villa can win the race for a player many are calling a Brazilian 'diamond'.
