Sky Sports Scout
We run the rule over Brazilian starlet Leandro Damiao
Scout Facts:
NAME: Leandro Damiao
AGE: 22 (22nd July 1989)
BORN: Jardim Alegre, Brazil
POSITION: Striker
CLUB: Internacional
FACTS: Nearly gave up football as a youngster
Brazilian starlet Leandro Damiao is hitting the headlines across the Atlantic, and along with the likes of Neymar and Ganso is seen as the future of the Samba nation.
Damiao is currently with Internacional, but it has not all been easy for the 6f 1in front-man - who at one time considered not even being a footballer after failed trials at Outubro and Atletico Ibirama both turned him down before he joined Atletico Tubarao - who converted him from a midfielder to a forward.
As a striker he began to stand out and Atletico Ibirama came calling again and this time took him on, and after a string of successful displays he was taken into Internacional's youth set-up.
His progress continued at a pace and he was handed his debut in January 2010, and he scored twice in a 4-2 win over Ypiranga Erechim.
Since then he has not looked back becoming a first-team regular since, and in some 70 league games he has helped himself to over 40 goals.
Little over 13-months after his first-team debut - Damiao was given his debut by Brazil against Scotland. He has kept his place in the squad and scored his first goal for the country in September 2011.
Given Damiao's progress, it is little surprise that almost all of Europe's top clubs are looking to sign him, and seeing him action only emphasises his qualities.
Unlike the likes of Neymar, Ganso and Lucas Moura who perhaps grab more headlines for their raw skill - Damiao is all about one thing, scoring goals.
That is not say he is not without skill, he is after all Brazilian and possesses excellent close control. But his main weapon and undoubted strength is his eye for goal.
Damiao is simply a stunning finisher, he can fire in from 25-yards, volley home from the edge of the box but is equally at home as the fox in the box.
Like with Neymar, though, Damiao signed a new deal with Internacional last summer and is not in a huge hurry to jump into the European game - but it seems highly likely he could move this summer.
The scout says...
A genuine top-class striker, who can move to England, Italy, Germany and Spain when he wants, and it does remain to be seen how much more progression he can make back in his homeland.
Should he leave then he could very well turn up in the Premier League, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur amongst those very keen.
The Scout rating...
Shooting: 8 out of 10
Passing: 7 out of 10
Tackling: 6 out of 10
Heading: 7 out of 10
Pace: 7 out of 10
Vision: 7 out of 10
Current ability: 7 out of 10
Potential ability: 10 out of 10
OVERALL SCOUT RATING: 59/80
Current value: ?ú15million
Potential value: ?ú60million
http://www1.skysports.com/transfer-centre/scout