Manchester City are looking to sign Argentine youngster Dario Sarmiento - dubbed mini Messi.
The young star is only 17 meaning the Premier League side will have to wait until he turns 18 to sign him.
But leading figures in Argentinean football have made it known that Sarmiento is destined for the top.
City have already been in discussions with Estudiantes about signing the player with negotiations beginning in the middle of last year.
Sarmiento is yet to score a goal for the club having only made a handful of appearances.
The teenager represents something of a gamble, but those at the Etihad and in Argentina believe it is a punt worth taking at just under £10m.
Estudiantes president is former Manchester United man Juan Sebastian Veron.
“The club will make sure of receiving a very important quantity,” he said while his vice Martin Gorostegui claims that a general agreement has been reached with City, reports The Sun.
“There is a fixed sum and other payments depending on a number of items. If the deal goes through, that’s how it will be.”
He also went on to say that "what’s happening with Sarmiento is a bet on his future."
The 17-year-old is left footed, like Messi, and rumours persist that the Barcelona star could also be on the move to the blue half of Manchester.
His future at the Nou Camp remains uncertain following his attempts to leave the club last summer.
Messi's contract is up at the end of the season and his next step may hinge on who wins this month's presidential election at Barcelona.
Some of the candidates believe the 33-year-old may have to be moved on citing his mammoth salary as an issue.
Others however are determined to keep him as they look to continue building the team around him.
It would appear, given the finances involved, that City and PSG seem the only options for Messi.
The player though did express a desire to one day play in the MLS.
