Borussia Dortmund's new sporting director Nils-Ole Book hasn't wasted any time in scouting players since replacing Sebastian Kehl last month.
Rumors now suggest he has his eyes on an 18-year-old prodigy from Brazil, who could be his first major transfer coup with Die Borussen.
According to various Brazilian media outlets (via GOAL), Dortmund have a talented young forward Lucca of Sao Paulo on their radar now.
Born in 2007, the winger broke into the club's senior team last summer after coming through the ranks at their youth set-up that he joined in 2018 at the age of 11.
Since then, he's made eight appearances in the Brazilian Serie A for Tricolor Paulista. Most notably, Lucca scored on his professional debut for them in May 2025 in a Copa Libertadores clash wherein the teenager scored the equalizing goal for them in a 1-1 draw.
German news outlet BILD has also confirmed that Dortmund scouts are keeping tabs on the 18-year-old, but any transfer would not be easy as Lucca is reportedly wanted by several top European sides such as Premier League giants Arsenal. In fact, they are the frontrunners in the race to sign him.
Dortmund's road appears difficult right now, as Lucca apparently won't come cheap. His contract with Sao Paulo runs until 2028 while interests from several clubs could realistically drive his market value further up.
However, what holds the Bundesliga giants in good stead is their stellar reputation of developing young players into world-class prospects. From Robert Lewandowski and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Jadon Sancho, Ousmane Dembele and Jude Bellingham, the BVB has nurtured many stars in the past and boast one of the best scouting programs in Europe.
Moreover, Dortmund already have a Brazilian teen on their books in Kaua Prates, who is confirmed to join them from Cruzeiro in August after his 18th birthday. His presence in the squad could help Lucca acclimatize to new surroundings rather easily. Justin Lerma is another South American youngster who will be joining the side, signed on a four million deal from Ecuadorian side Independiente.
Both of them were signed during Kehl's tenure, although Ole Book also has a reputation for uncovering young talents from abroad and it will be interesting to see if Lucca would be his first major transfer coup with Dortmund.
The player is yet to feature for Sao Paulo in the 2026 Brazilian Serie A although he's featured regularly for the side in the Campeonato Paulista.