Brazilian Stars Who Could Yet Make a European Switch This Summer

There is around one month left of the European transfer window, with clubs looking to complete their squads ahead of the coming campaign.

For Brazilian sides, though, that opportunity has passed. They can no longer recruit players from outside of Brazil and, thus, they will now be very cautious about selling their assets.

Some clubs, though, will find themselves unable to resist offers, while others will have already planned for long-expected departures.

Which players, then, could still be heading for European football this summer?

Wellington (Sao Paulo)

Sao Paulo midfielder Wellington has had his future discussed intensively this summer, with Inter Milan leading a list of clubs interested in securing his services, according to Sambafoot.

Wellington has been part-owned by Shakhtar Donetsk since the transfer of Jadson in early 2012, and played an important role in Sao Paulo's Copa Sudamericana success later the same year.

A dynamic defensive midfielder, Wellington has been crucial to Sao Paulo in recent years, with his ability to calmly dispossess opponents wonderful to behold. In possession he is also calm and collected, whether passing or carrying the ball out.

Inter Milan are the most frequently linked side, but he would be a good acquisition for many clubs.

Bernard (Atletico Mineiro)

Another player who has been on the wish list of several European clubs this summer is Atletico Mineiro's Copa Libertadores-winning attacking midfielder Bernard.

It has now been revealed by Goal that an offer has been accepted from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk. However, there is still a large possibility that the player will end up at Porto.

A member of Brazil's squad at the recent Confederations Cup, the diminutive attacking midfielder has risen to prominence over the past 18-months alongside Ronaldinho as Galo have achieved unprecedented success.

His move to Europe is simply a matter of time and, at present, it appears as though a move will almost certainly happen this summer.

Doria (Botafogo)

Botafogo centre-back Doria was rumoured to be a long-time target for Serie A giants Juventus in previous windows, but has shot back into the newspapers in recent weeks as Chelsea reportedly circle, according to Daily Mail.

Just 18 years old, the young defender has been sensational since first making the Bota first-team in 2012 and has made himself a regular fixture for the Alvinegro.

Composed on the ball and a fine reader of the game for a player so young, he is expected to play a major role for the Brazil national side in the future.

Botafogo have acknowledged that he could leave the club this window, with his contractual release clause of £11 million set to tempt European sides as the deadline approaches.

Leandro Damiao (Internacional)

The future of Internacional striker Leandro Damiao has become one of the longest running transfer sagas of recent years, with his name having cropped up continually over the past few windows.

For a long time, it was assumed that London-based side Tottenham would be his eventual destination. However, that move would appear to be dead in the water, with Damiao having most recently been linked with a move to either Southampton or Napoli, as noted on Sky Sports.

Even those deals, though, have gone cold for the time being, with Napoli asking for a fee in excess of €20 million for the forward, despite his poor form of the past year.

Whether anyone takes the plunge by the end of window remains to be seen, but it is clear that Internacional have been preparing for his departure for some time.

Bressan (Gremio)

A rumour that has appeared from nowhere in recent weeks concerns Gremio defender Bressan, who according to Sambafoot has been linked with a move to Serie A giants Juventus.

Bressan, 20, has made himself a first-team regular for the Porto Alegre side since the start of the Brasileirao season, having joined from Serie D side Juventude last December.

Despite his lack of experience, his performances have made people sit up and take note, while Gremio would also be receptive to a good offer due to the club's plentiful supply of centre-backs.

Whether a move occurs or is just simply agent talk, we will find out over the course of the next month.