Manchester United join Manchester City in race to sign Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus dubbed as 'new Neymar'

Manchester United are looking to beat Manchester City in the race to sign Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus. The 19-year-old is currently plying his trade for his homeland club Palmeiras and is the top scorer in the league with 10 goals.

Earlier, the Manchester Evening News reported Pep Guardiola's side are closing in on completing a move in landing the talented player. The attacker's agent Cristiano Simoes was negotiating a five-year deal with City as the Etihad outfit are looking to pay a fee of £27m ($35.4m) to secure Jesus' services.

However, the Citizens will now face competition from their local rivals. According to the Brazilian publication Globoesporte, the Red Devils have entered the race and are ready to offer €35m (£29.3m, $38.4m), which is €3m (£2.5m, $3.3m) more than City's offer.

Jesus was set to replace the injured Douglas Costa in the Brazil squad for the 2016 Copa America Centenario, which was held in the United States. However, he was forced to withdraw due to the lack of a US visa. The teenage star has made it to Brazil's Olympic squad.

City manager Guardiola even called Jesus to persuade him to join him at the Etihad. This has angered the Brazilian outfit's manager Cuca. United manager Jose Mourinho is looking to add the Brazilian forward to his squad and is hoping to beat his City counterpart for his signature.

United and City are not the only clubs interested in signing Jesus. The Brazilian report also claims Spanish giants Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested. However, it is the Premier League clubs, who are leading the race.

The Palmeiras attacker's form and style of play has seen him being compared to his compatriot and Barcelona star Neymar. He is dubbed as the "new Neymar" and his club coach Cuca has backed him to be an excellent player in the future.

"Gabriel, I always say, has not yet reached his peak. Games teach players new things," Cuca explained, as quoted by Goal.com.

"Gabriel is taking advantage of opportunities, he knows how to play as a striker, can make diagonal runs, he knows how to come from behind with speed. There are things to improve, but he will be an excellent player."