Santos forward Marcos Leonardo is set to make a move to Liverpool, according to Brazilian presenter Milton Neves.
The 19-year-old striker has scored 11 goals in 29 league matches for the South American giants, and has been likened to many a Brazilian great in his short playing career so far.
The presenter is known for his questionable footballing opinions, although his comments may carry some substance based on a few whispers coming from Brazil.
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Neves said: “Corinthians yesterday escaped being defeated by the Santos kids. Marcos Leonardo, who’s going to Liverpool, this guy is the new Romário!”
Leonardo was recently included in Goal‘s list of South America’s most talented youngsters, where they likened him to Neymar.
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The teenager also admitted that he idolises Cristiano Ronaldo, and hopes to play with the Manchester United forward one day.
"There are several that I am inspired by, Ricardo Oliveira, I've liked him since I was little. Romario, Adriano, Luis Suarez, Ronaldo Fenomeno and Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been my idol since I was little.
"Some I haven't even seen. It was my father who used to pick on me since I was little and he was like:
'Go watch the video, boy. Go watch the videos’. He demanded I watch the videos of Romario, Ronaldo, Adriano, he always demanded, because there were often moves that would help me solve problems on the field.
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"In a game against Corinthians, I scored a goal with a pout and joked with my father: 'Romario's goal'.
Asked which player he wants to play like, he said: "Cristiano Ronaldo, who has always been my idol, and I always dream of playing with him. The first is him.
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"Pele, there's no way, I don't even have words. If I played with him, I would learn a lot. And [Lionel] Messi.
"There are several, but as you only gave me three options, there are several that I dream of playing, there is Ricardo Oliveira, Neymar, there are several."
If Liverpool were to move for Leonardo, it would be for his raw talent and potential envisioned - but with his such high praise from across Brazil, it’s not hard to see why his name is being linked to Europe’s elite.
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Chris Stonadge