6 hours ago
17
Two of the Premier League’s biggest clubs have turned their attention to Shakhtar Donetsk striker Kauã Elias after the 20-year-old Brazilian delivered a hat-trick in his side’s 5-1 demolition to open the 2026/27 Ukrainian Premier League season. Both Arsenal and Manchester United submitted positive scouting reports on the forward, signaling that a transfer battle could be brewing.
For a player purchased for €17 million just 18 months ago, the trajectory here is steep. Shakhtar’s asking price now sits between €35 million and €40 million, representing a potential return of more than 2x on their initial investment.
The performance that turned heads
Elias’s August 3 display was the kind of statement performance that forces scouts to upgrade their reports from “monitor” to “pursue.” He netted three goals in the match, including two within a 17-minute window, earning Player of the Match honors.
The league itself took notice too, naming Elias the best player of the opening round. For a striker born on March 28, 2006, who only turned 20 earlier this year, that kind of recognition at a young age tends to accelerate transfer timelines considerably.
Manchester United reportedly had Elias on their radar as far back as May 2026. Arsenal’s interest appears to be more recent, catalyzed by the hat-trick performance.
A valuation that keeps climbing
Shakhtar bought him from Flamengo for €17 million in February 2025. By April 2026, Flamengo reportedly tried to bring him back with a €22 million bid. Shakhtar said no.
The club’s asking price of €35 million to €40 million as of May 2026 may have been ambitious at the time. After opening the new season with a performance like this, it looks increasingly reasonable. A €40 million fee would represent a 135% markup on the original purchase price in roughly 18 months. Shakhtar has historically been adept at this kind of player development arbitrage, buying talent from South America and selling to Western European clubs at significant premiums.
What this means for the transfer landscape
Manchester United’s earlier engagement, dating back to May 2026, suggests they may have a head start in relationship-building with both the player and his representatives.
For Elias specifically, the path from Flamengo’s youth academy to Shakhtar to a potential Premier League move follows a well-worn corridor for Brazilian talent. What’s unusual is the speed of his value appreciation and the caliber of clubs now involved.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
English (US) ·