Football Wonderkid Scout

 La Liga bound Fran Merida

moved to fend off interest from a number of rival European clubs for the duo. Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo confirmed reports that Fran Merida has been lured back to Spain with a move to Atletico Madrid where he will team up with Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero next season. Merida has reportedly grown frustrated at continually being overlooked by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger and will leave in search of more first-team football. A product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth academy, Merida followed in the same footsteps as Cesc Fabregas but has found first team opportunities hard to come by. While Wenger has made it clear in recent weeks he would like the youngster to remain in north London, he could give no guarantees of first-team action. Meanwile, rivals Tottenham who have been buoyed by the prospect of Champions League football this season, have made the most of their affiliation with Brazilian side Internacional and have signed highly rated defensive midfielder Sandro, who has already been capped by Brazil at senior level.

With many clubs looking to sign the next Kaka or Lionel Messi it is South America where most of the focus lies in trying to sign the next wonderkid. Santos duo Neymar and Paolo Henrique have attracted scouts from Europe's elite and both could be set for moves, after Santos recently financed the high profile loan of Robinho from Manchester City and capturing rising starlet Zezinho from league rivals Juventude. There will be no shortage of admirers for the duo, and England or Italy look the likely destinations. Manchester City are thought to have first option as part of the Robinho deal, but with the players having aspirations of a dream move to the major European clubs, it may be the likes of Juventus, AC Milan or Manchester United who benefit. Brazil's Philippe Coutinho who signed for Inter Milan back in 2008 will finally link up with the treble winning side after remaining on loan at Vasco de Gama until he turned 18. Fluminense's Wellington Silva has signed up with English powerhouse Arsenal for £3.5m but will remain in Brazil until he also turns 18. In Argentina, the most talked about players for export are current national team defender Nicolas Otamendi who has continued to impress for Velez and Argentina. There will be no shortage of suitors for the 22 year-old, and should he impress in South Africa his value may well soar. Described as the next Roberto Ayala, he is widely considered the best defender to emerge since Walter Samuel. At Banfield, Colombian James Rodriquez is causing a storm. The tricky winger who has been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo is being monitored by a number of Europe's major clubs, with Real Madrid the early front runners.

The top clubs in Spain, Italy and England will all be looking around the rest of Europe to find world class talent who are are avaliable and affordable. France's Le Championnat offers two highly sought after players in Toulouse powerhouse Moussa Sissoko aand Lille's Eden Hazard. Sissoko who has already been dubbed the next Patrick Vieira has attracted interest from some of Europe's major clubs including Manchester United. The box-to-box midfielder who has already been capped by France, has continued to impress and will be subject of much attention in the summer. Meanwhile, Hazard who has been likened to Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most sought after players in Europe having impressed in the Europe League against Everton and Liverpool. Known for his flair, raw pace and excellent technique, Hazard has attracted interest from Inter Milan, Arsenal and Real Madrid. Already an established international regular, Lille will be holding out for a big pay day. Possibly a little bit early to talk of transfer moves, but Monaco's 19 year-old Nigerian midfielder Lukman Haruna is building his reptuation and has impressed at international level. A number of big clubs are thought to be monitoring his progress. In Portugal, two highly sought after players are Benfica duo Angel Di Maria and David Luiz. With the Lisbon based club having recently acquired Franco Jara and Nicolas Gaitan from Argentina, it would suggest they are willing to listen to offers. Angel Di Maria would have a host of suitors vying for his signature and has been linked to Manchester United, Real Madrid and Manchester City, who have also been linked to his clubmate David Luiz.

One of Europe's most wanted players is 17 year-old sensation Romelu Lukaku, who recently finished top of Belgium's Jupiler League with 15 goals to his name. Already capped at international level, Lukaku is described as the next Didier Drogba and few would doubt such a talent. In Croatia, Milan Badelj will be a wanted man after impressing since replacing Luka Modric. Regarded as the jewell in the crown at Dinamo, Badelj is a playmaker wth sublime skills and vision. Spain's best player outside the top four clubs is right-back Cesar Azpilicueta who will count himself unlucky not to be part of Spain's World Cup squad. The Osasuna starlet has been linked with a big money move to Real Madrid.