Football Wonderkid Scout

 Palermo Ace Javier Pastore

citing that though Neymar was "extremely talented", he had not been tested on the international scene. Neymar made his debut for Brazil on August 10 2010, scoring the opener in a 2-0 victory over the United States. Blessed with pace, amazing dribbling skills and an eye for goal, Neymar can operate out on the flanks or as a striker. In the summer he was subject of a £25 million bound bid from Chelsea, but rejected the deal in order to stay with Santos for another season. The young Brazilian looks a certainty to leave Santos in the summer transfer window and La Liga looks to be his likely destination.

3) Eden Hazard (Lille)
Described as the the Belgian Cristiano Ronaldo, Eden Hazard is one of the hottest properties in European football. Impressing in Europe for Lille, Hazard heads up an exciting new generation in Belgian football. Linked with a move to England for several months having caught the eye in the French league, Arsenal and Manchester United reportedly headed up the queues, but his agents are set to snub a move to the Premier Leauge outfits, with a deal with Real Madrid looking likely. It is belived that Jose Mourinho has sent a number of scouts to watch the 19-year-old in action who is one of the continent's rising stars, winning 17 internationals cap already. Real Madrid's presidential advisor Zinedine Zidane has urged big-spending Florentino Perez to make the winger his next signing. With flair, trickery, vision and an eye for goal, Hazard is a wanted man and Mourinho will be hoping to add a future Galatico to the ranks.

4) David De Gea (Atlético)
At just 20 years-old many believe De Gea is the potential heir toIker Casillas as Spain's future number one, such is the high esteem many people hold him. Nicknamed Van Der Gea by his team mates due to the similarities with Manchester United's Edwin Van der Sar, he is top of Sir Alex Ferguson's wanted list for when the legendary Dutch man retires. De Gea first burst on the scene as a junior for Spain Under-17s when he helped them to win the 2007 European Championships and also finish runners-up at the 2007 World Cup. Having been with Atlético since the age of 10 year-old, De Gea has progressed through the youth ranks and overcome injury to replace Sergio Asenjo as number one during the 2009/10 season, helping Atlético to win the 2010 Uefa Europa League. A regular with the Spanish Under-21 setup, De Gea narrowly missed out on being included in Spain's winning 2010 World Cup squad. If De Gea leaves, Old Trafford looks likely to be his next destination, though there will be a number of suitors after his services should he wish to leave the Spanish capital.

5) Douglas Costa (Shakhtar)
Hailed as the next Ronaldinho, Douglas is described as one of Brazil's best talents and after impressing in his homeland for two seasons with Gremio, he was signed by 2009 Uefa Cup Champions Shakhtar Donetsk. A free-kick specialist, Douglas Costa is technically gifted with superb touch, excellent dribbling skills and quick feet. Douglas Costa is expected to gain some experience at Shakhtar before moving on to a better quality league, as many Brazilians before him have done and is reportedly the subject of interest from Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea. This season he has continued to impress and catch the eye, much like his first season when he scored 5 goals in 13 games for the Ukraine champions. An attacking midfielder with versatility, Douglas Costa can play accross the midfield and has been a regular at Under-20 level for Brazil, scoring 4 goals in 15 caps.

6) Alexis Sanchez (Udinese)
A standout players of the World Cup in South Africa, Alexis Sánchez's performances led to comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo and the Chilean superstar is now a wanted man. With some of Europe's biggest clubs circling around the talent, it appears Manchester United are at the front of the queue, with Sir Alex Ferguson a long-term admirer.The 21 year-old is blessed with his fantastic dribbling ability at explosive pace, has excellent technique and an eye for goal. A good crosser of the ball with a variety of tricks up his sleeve, the versatile player who can operate on either wing or alone up front, has all the attributes to be one of the next superstars of world football. Sánchez's agent recently stated that he will remain at Udinese until the end of the season, Manchester United are still chasing him. With 13 goals in 34 caps for Chile at international level, Sánchez has proved he can perform at the highest level and will be looking to move from Udinese whom he joined in 2007.

7) Romelu Lukaku (Anderlecht)
Hailed as the next Didier Drogba, there is no shortage of admirers for Belgian wonderkid Romelu Lukaku, with most of the leading clubs across Europe closely monitoring his situation .Romelu Lukaku attracted offers from Real Madrid and at least one Premier League club during the summer, with Anderlecht admitting that they even turned down one bid of £17.5 million for a player regarded as the best young attacking prospect in Europe. Anderlecht did not disclose the identity of the club who made that offer but, in Belgium, it is rumoured to be Tottenham. However, Lukaku has made it clear that he wishes to remain with Anderlecht until the end of this season, when he will have finished his schooling and turned 18. In his first full season at Anderlecht at the age of 16 years old, Lukaku finished the season as top goalscorer with 15 goals and 33 appearances, also adding another 4 goals in 11 European games. Lukaku is now a regular at international level and has continued to impress, winning 8 caps and scoring 2 goals. The teenage powerhouse stands at 6ft 3 inches and is strong, good in the air and has excellent technical ability, making him one of the most exciting prospects in world football.

8) Paulo Henrique (Santos)
The attacking midfielder nicknamed Ganso (The Goose) currently plays for Santos and is widely considered to be as exciting as striking sensation Neymar. Described as a player similar in style ro Rivaldo, Ganso is known for his pace, vision and powerful left foot. Already capped up to U20 level, Paulo Henrique was widely tipped to be included in Carlos Dunga's 2010 World Cup as back-up for Kaka. Brought to the club by former Santos and Barcelona ace Giovanni, he was quickly put into the first team in 2009. His current coach at Santos, Vanderlei Luxemburgo claims, "He's a complete player" and with a price tag of £50m his label does not appear to be just hype. When new Brazil coach Mano Menezes took charge of the national team following a dissapointing World Cup, Ganso was called up for his first squad and made his debut in a 2-0 victory over the United States. In August, Ganso was injured in a match against Gremio, damaging his ligaments and has therefore been sidelined with an expected come-back in early 2011. Still he remains as one of the worlds most sought after talents, though clubs will be carefully monitoring his come-back before any summer transfer move.

9) Luc Castaignos (Feyenoord)
Hailed as the next Thierry Henry by Netherlands U17 manager Albert Stuivenberg, Luc Castaignos is one of the most promising footballers emerging out of Holland. At just 17 years-old his stock began to rise at the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, where he helped Netherlands finish runner-up at the tournament. He was the tournament's joint top scorer with three goals. Now 18 years-old, Castaignos is assertive, strong in the air, amazingly quick and has devestating finishing ability which makes him an oustanding prospect for the future. This season Castaignos has become one of the hottest young properties in Europe after scoring five goals in his last seven games since establishing himself in the first team at struggling Feyenoord. Valued at around £6 million, he is widely expected to join Inter Milan in the coming weeks but will stay at Feyenoord until 2012 to continue his development.

10) Mario Götze (Borussia Dortmund)
Former Dortmund and Germany star Matthias Sammer has hailed the prodigious attacking midfielder as one of the greatest talents Germany has ever produced. Now a regular at high flying Dortmund, the Germany U21 star is putting in a number of eye catching displays in the Bundesliga and some have touted him for a fast track route to the senior national team. Mario Götze was called up for his first international match against Sweden on November 17 2010, during which he made his debut after coming on as a second half substitute. The 18-year-old playmaker has been instrumental in Borussia Dortmund's ascent to the top of the Bundesliga this season, and the German team are ready to cash in on the star. It is thought that Dortmund are prepared to sell, but will insist that any buyer meets the £8m release clause, which should be no obstacle for a number of Europe's major clubs including big spenders Manchester City who are reportedly keeping tabs on the young German.