Dubbed 'The Portuguese Mbappe', Rafael Leao has emerged as one of the most exciting teenage prospects in European football.
Everton are not believed to the first Premier League club to have turned their attentions towards the Lille wonderkid with reigning champions Manchester City also linked with a move last month.
Snapped up for nothing last summer following the unrest in Lisbon at his previous side Sporting CP - players and staff were attacked by fans during training and the incident also led to the departures of goalkeeper Rui Patrício and midfielder William Carvalho who was linked to Everton – the fleet-footed frontman from Almada on the opposite bank of the Tagus River to Portugal's capital has been a revelation in Ligue 1.
Everton add Lille forward Rafael Leao to summer transfer shortlist
Lille have been the surprise package in the French top flight this season, second only to petrodollar-fuelled free-spenders Paris St Germain and above the likes of traditional powerhouses Lyon, Marseille, St Etienne and Monaco (who currently sit a lowly 16 in the 20 club table) and Leao has been one of their explosive stars.
French football expert Julien Laurens , who writes for Le Parisien, told the BBC's Euro Leagues podcast : “They got Leao on a free which, for a young player of his talent, was really a bargain.
“He took his time and it was a slow start but he's really come good now in this wonderful Lille team which is second in Ligue 1.
Everton's Gylfi Sigurdsson has had a record-breaking season so why are fans demanding more?
“It's a young team and Leao fits perfectly with what they are trying to do.
“He plays on his own up front, he's strong and quick, he's a good finisher and he's only 19.
“They call him the Portuguese Mbappe. He's certainly one to keep an eye on in the future.”
