City Targeting the 'Brazilian Haaland': Meet Dell, the 17-Year-Old Dynamo from Bahia
16 October 2025
Manchester City, the Premier League title contenders, are reportedly turning their eyes toward a rising Brazilian talent described by many as the 'Haaland of the Sertão.'
Wendison Wanderley Santos de Melo, known simply as Dell, is 17 and has turned heads at Bahia and with Brazil’s youth teams thanks to his prolific goal-scoring and clinical movement in front of goal.
He began at Bahia’s academy only a few years ago, yet he quickly established himself as one of Brazil’s most exciting attacking prospects. In 2023, he netted 40 goals in 34 appearances for the Under-17s; in 2024 he added 12 goals in 21 games and helped his club win their first Baianao regional title.
This scoring rate earned him the nickname "Haaland of Sertão" and led to call-ups to Brazil’s youth national teams, cementing his status as a top young talent on the rise.
His extraordinary form paved the way for a pro contract with Bahia through 2027, including a hefty release clause of £87 million to deter bigger clubs from swooping too soon. The deal is steered by prominent agent Juliano Bertolotti, underscoring the leverage and attention surrounding this teenager.
City Football Group’s ownership stake in Bahia—about 90%—adds a practical edge to a potential move, making a future transition to Manchester City appear more administratively straightforward if the timing aligns.
Dell has not hidden his affinity for European football and, in particular, Manchester City, which he regards as among the best in the world. He has expressed ambition to win titles with Bahia first and then venture to Europe, while acknowledging Haaland as an inspiration and noting that his goal-time movements resemble the Norwegian’s at times. He also cites Marcus Leonardo of Al Hilal as a player he admires, showing a well-rounded set of influences.
At 1.75 meters tall, Dell combines natural finishing instincts with confidence and ambition, projecting him as a potential global star from Brazil’s rich talent pool. If his development continues on this trajectory, a move to City could feel like a natural next chapter in a career aimed at the summit of world football. The saga from Bahia to the Etihad might mark a fresh era in Manchester City’s ongoing pursuit of the next undiscovered gem who could write another chapter in their storied history.
From Bahia to the Premier League, the Dell story stands as a testament to the international reach of football’s scouting web, where a teenage prodigy can emerge from the Sertão to captivate Europe’s biggest clubs.
