Everton and Manchester City are being linked with two Portuguese wonder-kids – Benfica midfielder Florentino Luis and Lille’s Rafa Leao.
Everton and Manchester City continue to be linked with two of Portugal’s most exciting talents and experienced defender Jose Fonte has told Squawka that Rafael Leao and Florentino Luis can reach the very top of the European game.
The Mail claimed recently that Everton’s director of football Marcel Brands has spotted another rough diamond in 19-year-old Leao, who scored eight Ligue 1 goals in his debut season at Lille to earn comparisons with Kylian Mbappe.
The Guardian, meanwhile, believes that Florentino has emerged as a target for Manchester City with the Premier League champions seeing the defensive midfielder as a long-term Fernandinho replacement.
Florentino, like Leao, is just 19 and has a release clause of £53 million.
And Fonte, who is well placed to judge both teenage talents from his role at Lille and the Portuguese national team, expects big things from Leao and Florentino in the coming years.
“Florentino Luis from Benfica – a very, very good player. You also have Rafael Leao from Lille. He can be a top striker. He’s scored nine or 10 goals this season he’s only 19 or 20 and is fast, super powerful, tall. He can go all the way, he finishes well and can go all the way to the top,” the former Southampton defender said.
“Without a doubt, Rafael Leao can be a top, top player and if he keeps listening, keeps working hard, keeps his feet on the ground and keeps grinding he can definitely be a top player because he has all the talent for that.”
Lille will be desperate to keep hold of Leao, particularly if Nicolas Pepe leaves the Stade Pierre Mauroy this summer with the Ivory Coast international attracting interest from some of the biggest clubs anywhere in European football.
Benfica, meanwhile, are hoping to tie down Florentino to a new deal with an £88 million release clause, The Guardian adds.
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