Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Mario, 23, is set to spark a bidding war between Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester United.
The Portuguese international was a pivotal member of the victorious Euro 2016 squad, receiving widespread praise for his performances as they shocked hosts France in the final.
Speculation over his future intensified this weekend after Sporting left him out of the side which was beaten in a pre-season friendly by Lyon. Whilst club president, Bruno de Carvalho, denied a move away from the Portuguese capital was imminent, his absence fuelled the belief that two Premier League clubs were circling.
Chelsea have previously made contact with Sporting over a £46m deal for the midfielder with manager Antonio Conte preparing for 27 year-old Nemanja Matic’s exit to Juventus. With the signing of N’Golo Kante, 25, already completed, the reshaping of the Blues midfield would be complete.
United meanwhile are looking to pair Mario with Paul Pogba, 23, whose transfer from Juventus is expected to complete this week.
Both clubs though, face strong competition from Internazionale after boss Roberto Mancini failed to persuade Yaya Toure, 33, to leave Manchester City.
It’s testament to Sporting’s academy that another protégée will leave for a big fee. Ten of Portugal’s fourteen players which played in the Euro 2016 final had come through the ranks in Lisbon. As well as signing the best, the big clubs would do well to study their coaching methods for youth players.
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