Liverpool will battle Shakhtar Donetsk for Kayky, according to reports. The Ukrainians are an unusual transfer rival but a very difficult one.
Netflu reports that Liverpool want Kayky from Fluminense. The 17-year-old is slightly too young for a January move but could be an option for the summer when he turns 18.
But the Reds aren’t the only ones looking. Shakhtar Donetsk also want Kayky and are making early moves for the Brazilian.
Now, for virtually any other target, this wouldn’t be a worry. Liverpool are a far bigger team than Shakhtar, after all.
The Reds boast a lot more financial power, too. The two clubs compete in very different markets and look at different players, such is the gulf in size.
Except when it comes to Brazil.
In fact, Shaktar are one of the last teams you want to compete with when it comes to Brazilian youngsters.
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Shakhtar have a phenomenal record of developing Brazilian youngsters. Their squad is littered with them right now, in fact.
The Ukrainians have 13 Brazilians in their squad – surely the most in Europe.
But their history with selling players on is fantastic, too. Of their 10 record sales, seven were Brazilian. They’ve sold on the likes of Fred, Willian, Douglas Costa, Fernandinho, Elano and Luiz Adriano to bigger European clubs.
Alex Teixeira, once wanted by Liverpool, is another they moved on for a huge fee.
And these are just the superstars. Shakhtar have a great record of simply setting up Brazilians for a career in Europe. They’re not quite a guarantee of a successful career but it’s about as close as you get.
So as big as Liverpool are, Shakhtar are a big threat to their plans. The Reds’s recent success with young players will only help, of course, as will the Brazilians in their team.
But there’s a very good chance Kaky opts for Shakhtar, here. Their record with his compatriots is just very difficult to compete with.