Porto near deal for Brazil U-23 forward Pepe

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Reigning Portuguese champion Porto is close to signing Gremio's highly rated Brazil U-23 forward Pepe, according to Brazilian press reports.

Porto tabled a 15 million-euro offer (around 19 million US dollars) to secure the 23-year-old on a long-term deal, news outlet Gazeta Esportiva said on Wednesday. It added that Porto officials hope to complete the deal this week.

Pepe scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in 40 matches across all competitions for Gremio in 2020.

Sevilla, Zenit Saint Petersburg, Roma, Paris Saint-Germain, Ajax, Bayern Munich and Wolverhampton Wanderers have also been linked with the attacker.

Porto currently has three Brazilians in its squad: forward Evanilson and midfielders Felipe Anderson and Otavio.