RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Porto have emerged as frontrunners to sign Gremio's Brazil U-23 forward Pepe, according to media reports in the South American country.
The reigning Portuguese champions have offered 15 million euros (around 18 million U.S. dollars) to prise the 23-year-old away from Porto Alegre, Globo Esporte said on Wednesday.
However, it added that Gremio are loath lose another regular goalscorer after the departure of Everton Soares to Benfica in August.
Pepe has scored four goals in his past five matches for Gremio, including two in the Copa Libertadores against Internacional and Universidad Catolica.
Roma, Paris Saint-Germain, Ajax, Bayern Munich and Wolverhampton Wanderers have also been linked with the attacker.
Porto currently have three Brazilians in their first-team squad: defender Alex Telles, midfielder Otavio and forward Evanilson. Enditem
