Italy eyes 18‑year‑old Robinho Jr as loan move to Genoa unfolds

In Genoa, 18‑year‑old forward Robinho Jr arrived on a loan deal from Santos, with Genoa covering his full salary and an €8 million purchase option, while Italy’s national team coach Roberto Mancini added the youngster to his scouting list as the club finalised paperwork for his Italian citizenship.

Loan terms and financial details

Santos and Genoa reached an Acordo for a season‑long loan, with the Italian side assuming the striker’s entire wage bill. The deal includes an option to buy for €8 million (about R$48 million) and guarantees Santos retains ten percent of any future economic rights.

Playing record and recent form

Robinho Jr has logged 13 appearances this season for Santos, scoring one professional goal and providing an assist. He has not featured since the 21 July Copa Sudamericana win over UCV, and his overall tally for the club stands at 27 official matches without a league goal, the only goal coming in a friendly against União São João.

The player is in Italy to complete the paperwork for citizenship, a process made possible because his mother holds Italian nationality. His dual Brazilian‑Italian status could open the door to the Seleção italiana, as reported by the Italian press.

Italian outlets Il Secolo XIX, and Primocanale all note that Roberto Mancini is evaluating Robinho Jr for possible future call‑ups. Il Secolo XIX, based in Gênova, explicitly placed the teenager on Mancini’s radar, while the other papers echoed the same sentiment without confirming any concrete invitation.

Robinho Jr is expected to be presented by Genoa early this week, having arrived in Italy a few days ago to finalise his passport. Both clubs are now navigating the bureaucratic steps required to formalise the transfer.

Santos initially rejected an earlier offer, insisting that Genoa cover the full salary and pay a loan fee before granting the green light. The revised Acordo satisfies those conditions, allowing the move to proceed.