Bournemouth ‘agree personal terms’ with “very strong and fast” Brazil forward who plays like Adriano

Adriano. (Action Images/Daniele La Monaca)

Bournemouth have agreed personal terms with Vasco da Gama striker Rayan ahead of a proposed €28.5million (£24.7m) move, which includes potential add-ons, according to The Athletic.

The 19-year-old is expected to arrive in England on Sunday for a medical and, if all goes smoothly, will sign a five-and-a-half-year deal with the Cherries.

Rayan made history at Vasco by becoming the youngest player ever to debut for the club in 2023, aged just 16 years, five months, and 16 days.

Since then, he has accumulated 25 goals in 99 appearances, finishing the 2024-25 season with 14 goals in 34 Série A matches. He also recently extended his contract with Vasco until 2028 and has represented Brazil at under-20 level.

The striker arrives as Bournemouth look to replace Antoine Semenyo, who departed for Manchester City in a £62.5million ($84m) deal earlier this month.

Brazilian journalist Thiago Rabelo, a Transfermarkt content manager, described Rayan as “a very strong and fast player” and compared his style to Brazilian and Inter Milan legend Adriano.

“He has a different style from what the country usually produces, which is players with a lot of technique and skill,” Rabelo said.

“The young player’s game is more about physical strength and speed. He is not yet fully developed physically, hence the comparisons with Adriano. But if he manages to evolve as a centre-forward, he could become a Brazilian national team player and consequently a world-class player.”

Bournemouth are betting on Rayan to inject both power and pace into their attack as they look to recover from Semenyo’s departure.

With his blend of strength, speed, and raw potential, the teenager could make an immediate impact in the Premier League while developing into a future star for both club and country.

Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has written for The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, Sports Illustrated, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider.

Over the years, he's had the pleasure of interviewing some of the biggest names in world sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and more.

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