Inter Milan join battle for Brazilian teenager Thiago Maia

Rio de Janeiro June 17 (IANS) Italian football giants Inter Milan have offered 14 million euros (approximately $15.6 million) to sign Brazilian teenager Thiago Maia according to a media report.

But the Italian Serie A giants are understood to be facing competition for the 19-year-old s signature from local rivals AC Milan and France s Lille reports Xinhua news agency.

Maia s club Santos have indicated they will negotiate a deal for the midfielder before the close of the European summer transfer window the Uol news portal said.

It would be the second transfer of a Santos player to Inter Milan in as many years. Last year striker Gabriel Barbosa joined the Nerazzurri in a deal worth 30 million euros ($33.5 million).

Maia has made 115 appearances for Santos since being promoted from the club s youth academy in 2014.

He has represented Brazil s under-17 under-20 and under-23 national teams and was part of the outfit that won the gold medal for Brazil at last year s Rio Olympics.

--IANS
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