Three Premier League clubs enter transfer race for £30m star aiming to be Brazil's next No. 9

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Brentford star Igor Thiago is attracting interest from Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle , according to reports. The Brazilian has eight goals so far this season and has become the standout performer for Keith Andrews' side.

According to reports from Trivela and ESPN Brazil , all three clubs are believed to have made tentative enquiries regarding the striker's availability and price ahead of the January transfer window .

Both Villa and Spurs have struggled across the forward line so far this season. Newcastle signed Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa but the club are currently languishing 14th in the Premier League , having won just three games so far.

Villa are also eyeing attacking reinforcements with Unai Emery's team currently the lowest scorers in the top ten of the league with Villa sitting in sixth. The excitement around Thiago has led to speculation he could be the subject of interest from most teams in the Premier League .

The striker also harbours ambitions of becoming Brazil's No. 9. Thiago’s rivals for that shirt are Richarlison, Matheus Cunha, Joao Pedro and Igor Jesus, the Nottingham Forest forward - but his confidence suggests he has what it takes to win the race.

"I've always dreamed of being able to play for Brazil," Thiago said via the Daily Mail . "I always ask God that when he takes me to the national team, I don't want to go just for the sake of it. When I get there, I want to stay.

"The competition is very good, because it means we have a very good attack. And I'm a good player. These are high-level players, competing in the Premier League, such a tough competition. My moment will come.

"I'm not in a hurry, I'm not sad or anxious about anything, because I know that, when it's my moment, I know I will go and I will stay. Without a doubt. I'm patient, I'm confident, and when the opportunity comes, I'll be ready to take it and never let it go."

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After Brentford beat West Ham 2-0 in October, with Thiago running the Hammers ragged, former Hammers star Joe Cole also waxed lyrical about the striker.

"£27million is peanuts in today’s market," he told Premier League Productions , referencing Thiago's undisclosed transfer to the Bees, which was thought to be in the region of £30m.

"West Ham will be on the other side thinking, ‘We’ve been looking for a centre-forward for a decade now.' And they still haven’t got one. He’d get into any team outside the top four in the Premier League, Thiago."

Thiago signed for Brentford in February 2024, with the move delayed until that summer's transfer window. However, has been plagued with injuries ever since his club-record switch from Club Brugge.

He scored 18 goals in 34 league matches during Club Brugge's title-winning campaign in 2023/24. He also won the Young Player of the Season in the UEFA Conference League that season.