Manchester City are hoping to beat Manchester United and Barcelona to Benfica starlet Ronaldo Camara.
The 16-year-old is one of the most sought-after prospects in world football, and has long been on the radar of scouts from Old Trafford and the Nou Camp.
But Man City have also been closely tracking his progress and hope the prospect of joining their much-heralded academy and working under Pep Guardiola will see them win the race for his signature.
Camara is an attacking midfielder who plays for Portugal’s Under-17s.
If he heads to the Etihad he would follow in the footsteps of a host of global prospects City have sought to snap up in the hope of finding the superstars of the future.
Sporting director Txiki Begiristain has hugely expanded the club’s scouting network – enabling them to unearth talents like Brahim Diaz, Douglas Luiz, Claudio Gomes and Eric Garcia.
Diaz was sold to Real Madrid in January in a deal that could rise to £22million, while Paris Saint-Germain starlet Gomes has been identified as a potential successor to Fernandinho.
Brazilian Claudio Gomes would have been part of City’s squad this season if he’d been granted a work permit – and Garcia has already impressed at centre back.
Camara is seen as a top-class prospect who United were hoping to tie up a deal for him in January.
But they could have to face up to him ending up at their fierce cross-city rivals.
City are set for a busier than anticipated summer amid the threat of transfer ban.
The Premier League champions are being investigated by Fifa, Uefa, the FA and Premier League over a series of allegations including violations over Financial Fair Play and the transfers of minors.
They deny the charges – but among the potential punishments are Champions League expulsion and transfer embargoes.
Guardiola had initially intended to focus on a holding midfielder capable of providing competition for Fernandinho.
But the City manager has dramatically altered his plans, with a top quality left back now among his priorities.
Leicester’s Ben Chilwell is the leading target in that position amid uncertainty over Benjamin Mendy’s future.
City are also interested in signing another centre back and have been monitoring Matthijs de Ligt’s situation at Ajax.
Guardiola is also considering adding to his attack.
