Paris Saint Germain, Lille and Olympique Marseille eye the talent at Santos

How long will Santos be able to keep this lot together?

Scouts from Paris Saint Germain, Lille and Olympique Marseille are in Brazil and their reports might prompt  a shopping spree at the Vila Belmiro. The French have watched Santos training sessions and are particularly interested in Neymar, Paulo Henrique Lima, André and Wesley – and the hefty price tags haven’t put the Europeans off. Neymar, for example, is valued at around €35 million; Paulo Henrique at €50 million. Santos’ director of football, Paulo Jamelli, has said that Santos would like to hang on to their stars for another two years. But if offers come in that match the club’s asking price, then the players are likely to be on their way.

Santos have attracted worldwide attention this season because of their flamboyant football and their 61 goals in 19 games.  The coastal side has not come anywhere near to this kind of scoring rate since the days of Pelé in the 60s.

On Thursday, the boys from the Vila could clinch a place in the playoffs of the Campeonato Paulista with a point against Botafogo. Santos are also favourites to take the Copa do Brasil. Winning this competition will put them in next year’s Libertadores.