Exclusive: Premier League clubs chase Club World Cup star Matheus Martinelli
Fluminense midfielder Matheus Martinelli is interesting Premier League clubs with as many as four already registering an interest, sources have told Football Insider.
The 23-year-old impressed for Fluminense at the recent Club World Cup and his performances have alerted Premier League suitors.
Martinelli is regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in South America and has already made over 265 appearances for the Brazilian giants to date.
He joined Fluminense’s youth set-up in 2017, then worked his way up the ranks to make his senior debut for the club in 2020 and has been a regular at the heart of their midfield ever since.
Premier League clubs court Martinelli after stellar Club World Cup
The 23-year-old has built a reputation as one of the best in his position in Brazil and South America as a whole for his consistently impressive performances over the last few years.
Martinelli was a key part of Fluminense’s historic Copa Libertadores triumph in 2023, as he featured eight times on their way to the final against Boca Juniors, and then started that game at the base of the midfield next to current Wolves star Andre as the Brazilian giants won 2-1 in extra-time.
He has continued to shine over the last few seasons, with 34 Serie A appearances in 2024 and 14 so far in 2025, and he particularly impressed at the recent Club World Cup in the USA.
Martinelli made five appearances at the newly-expanded tournament as the Tricolor reached the semi-finals against Chelsea, after he had netted a fine strike to put his side in front in their quarter-final clash against Al-Hilal.
His fine form throughout the competition has seen him attract the attention of a number of clubs in the Premier League, and he could soon make the move to England as he now aims to forge a career at the highest level in Europe.
Fluminense plot Richarlison move after heartfelt reveal
While Fluminense could soon be selling one of their major assets to a Premier League side, they may also be in the market for a player from the English top-flight as Richarlison looks set to leave Tottenham this summer to return to his native Brazil.
The versatile forward has struggled to make his mark in North London over the last few years, and Football Insider revealed on Monday, 7 July, that Richarlison is ready to leave Spurs soon, as he is likely to be the one sacrificed to make room in the squad after Mohammed Kudus’ move to the Lilywhites.
Palmeiras have been in direct talks with the Tottenham man, according to reports, but Richarlison recently dropped a potential hint about returning to Fluminense by sharing a post online of him playing for the club after his prolific spell there between 2016 and 2017.
Brazilian outlet Terra have recently claimed that Fluminense have made Richarlison their top target to replace Jhon Arias, who has now signed for Wolves, and so he could soon return to Brazil while Martinelli heads the other way to the Premier League.