Who is ‘Brazilian Haaland’? Teen striker attracting Manchester City and Europe's top clubs

Wendeson Wanderley Santos de Melo, better known as Dell, is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about young talents in Brazilian football. The 17-year-old striker is earning high praise for his performances with both his club, Bahia, and Brazil’s youth national teams.

Dell made his senior debut for Bahia—a top-flight Brazilian club—in January, but he was already making waves in the academy long before that. In 2023, he had a standout season with Bahia’s Under-17s, scoring an incredible 40 goals in just 34 matches. He followed that up the next year with 12 goals in 21 games, helping the club win the Baianão Championship, their first regional title in years.

His goal-scoring prowess and physical style of play have drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland, earning him the nickname “the Brazilian Haaland.” Unsurprisingly, his performances have caught the eye of major European clubs—Manchester City are reportedly very interested. However, any move won’t come cheap: Dell currently has a release clause of £87 million.

Why is Dell called Brazilian Haaland?

Known for his exceptional goal-scoring instincts, he quickly earned the nickname “Haaland of the Sertão,” a reference to the arid region of northwestern Brazil where he grew up. His performances didn’t go unnoticed—he was soon called up to represent Brazil at the youth level.

In 2024, he lit up the South American U15 Championship, scoring four goals and providing two assists to win the tournament’s Golden Boot. Then in March, he led Brazil to victory in the U17 category, securing another major milestone in his young career. Thanks to his standout performances, he’s now set to represent Brazil at the U17 World Cup in Qatar this November.

Club Sets Huge Release Clause for Brazilian Haaland

Bahia are well aware of just how valuable their young star is, thanks to his incredible talent and impressive goal-scoring record.

So much so that they have included a massive £87 million release clause in his contract, which runs until 2027. The player, known as Dell, dreams of playing in Europe and is represented by top Brazilian agent Giuliano Bertolucci.

Manchester City are particularly well-positioned to sign him. Their parent company, City Football Group, owns 90% of Bahia, which could make any potential deal between the two clubs quick and straightforward.

According to ESPN, AC Milan are also keeping a close eye on the teenager, but due to City's close ties with Bahia, they are considered the favourites to land him.

Cover Credits - Sky Sports