Brazilian club Esporte Clube Bahia want €10m (£8.94m) for their 18-year-old midfielder Ramires, according to reports in Brazil.

UOL report (via Sport Witness) that Brazilian clubs Palmeiras and Flamengo have both approached Bahia over the possibility over a transfer, but Bahia’s €10m price tag puts the player more in the price range of the European clubs. Arsenal and Manchester City are reportedly considering whether to make an offer in the ‘coming weeks’.

That €10m valuation could rise as high as €30m, which is Ramires’ release clause. It all depends on how much interest there is, and whether Bahia can start a bidding war.

Ramires’ agent Uéslei spoke to the media last month, and he confirmed that Arsenal had been watching his client. He denied there had been any transfer talks at the time, but that could all change come January and the winter window.

Since then, Bahia vice president Vitor Ferraz has spoken about the rumours, admitting Ramires is indeed being watched. However, he tried to play down the idea that the 18-year-old could be on the move in the near future, saying the player is “well protected” in “contractual terms”.

As for why Arsenal would want the midfielder, he’s already made 17 appearances for the Bahia first team after turning 18 in August. He has two goals and three assists in those matches, including a goal in the last-16 of the Copa Sudamericana.

Ramires is strong at creating chances and taking set pieces, though currently lacking a bit in the air. That’s fairly common for young players though. It was worth Arsenal checking him out if nothing else and we’ll see if that comes to anything.