Manchester City and Barcelona are reportedly among an array of clubs who are contemplating an approach for Sporting Lisbon youngster Sana Fernandes.
With the summer transfer window having recently opened, all of European football's top clubs are looking at how to strengthen their respective first-team squads ahead of 2022-23.
However, despite issues revolving around that side of the transfer market being their priority, that does not mean that scouts will be advising the relevant hierarchies of players for the future.
According to transfer expert Ekrem Konur, that appears to be the case with regards to Fernandes, a teenager making his way at Sporting.
The versatile forward, who was born in Guinea, has been part of the Portuguese side's academy for a number of years and has just contributed 10 goals for the Under-16s side.
Elsewhere, it has been implied that no fee will be involved if a deal can be reached before Fernandes is given the chance to pen professional terms at Estadio Jose Alvalade.
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Portuguese outlet O Jogo backs up Konur's story that Man City and Barcelona are both big admirers of the 16-year-old and could make a formal approach.
Both clubs hold a desire to strengthen their youth setups, and the feeling is that Fernandes can eventually fulfil his potential by representing the senior team.
Although City have recently produced Phil Foden, Barcelona have by far the stronger track record when it comes to involving their academy players in first-team fixtures.
That is something which could appeal to Fernandes, even though anything other than academy football is not realistic at this stage of his progression.
Konur adds that numerous other clubs are ready to rival City and Barcelona, including Bundesliga pair Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, both of whom have offered obvious pathways into the first-team picture to prospects in the past.
Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Napoli are also said to be keen, although they appear as nothing more than outsiders in the race for Fernandes's signature.
Darren Plant
