Manchester City set to beat Chelsea to 16-year-old Brazilian starlet Pernao (IM Scouting).A report in The Sun newspaper this morning suggests Manchester City will beat Chelsea in the race to sign 16-year-old Brazilian striker Pernao.

MANCHESTER City set to beat Chelsea to 16-year-old Brazilian starlet Pernao (IM Scouting).

A report in The Sun newspaper this morning suggests Manchester City will beat Chelsea in the race to sign 16-year-old Brazilian striker Pernao.

According to The Sun: "Manchester City look to have edged out Chelsea to land Brazilian wonderkid Rafael de Souza Rodolfo - thanks to a major charm offensive from Robinho. The striker, 16, is known as Pernao and has been chased by a host of top European clubs, even though he is yet to play for Fluminense's first team."

The daily tabloid add that "City moved fastest of all when they secretly invited Pernao to England last week, where he met fellow Samba star Robinho. Now boss Mark Hughes is confident of tying up a �3million deal, plus add-ons, after further talks with his club and family."

Fluminense have lost a number of highly-rated youngsters in recent years. Manchester United poached full-backs Rafael and Fabio from the club as did Villareal when they signed Mauricio Alves.

Pernao impressed for Fluminense's Under-15 team alongside striker Wellington who has long been rumoured to be joining Arsenal.