Gabriel Jesus is wanted by United
Gabriel Jesus is reportedly wanted by Manchester United Getty Images

Manchester United are reportedly chasing Brazilian wonderkid Gabriel Jesus. The 19-year-old forward is among the most sought-after young players in world football and the Old Trafford club are apparently leading the queue for his signature.

Gabriel is currently playing a starring role in the first-team at Palmeiras, but according to Brazilian newspaper O Estadao de Sao Paulo, he has a £23.5m ($34.3m) buy-out clause. However, the transfer fee is lowered to £18.8m for United, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Palmeiras reportedly want to wait until Gabriel stars at the Olympics this summer, hoping that an eye-catching showing at that event will succeed in increasing interest in his signature. Cristiano Simoes, the player's agent, recently admitted Gabriel could make a big-money move to Europe after the Olympics, with United among numerous clubs rumoured to be interested.

"Until then, it's certain that he will stay. After that, we believe there will be good and concrete bids," he said amid United's reported interest in the forward. "Gabriel is calm and is not interested in these subjects but he knows that many people want to take him and he is now the main player who Palmeiras can make a profit on."

Gabriel appeared alongside United midfielder Andreas Pereira for Brazil's victorious Under-20 team at last year's World Cup. In recent times, he has also been likened to Barcelona's Neymar by various pundits.