Renato Sanches. For a kid with just a handful of games under his belt, how much is Manchester United willing to spend to land the Benfica teen? €40m? €60m? €80m? And why?
United officials met with Benfica representatives in London on Friday to discuss Sanches. But United have kicked off negotiations on the back foot. Six weeks ago, Sanches was available for €45m - courtesy of his buyout clause. But knowing what they had on their hands, Benfica management upgraded his deal to include an escape clause of €80m in December. A record for Benfica and only surpassed in Portugal by Porto's deal with Hulk.
For Rui Vitoria, the Benfica head coach, the bedding down process has been instant this season. It's now more about where best the 18 year-old can be utilised.
"He can play as a No6, a No8 or a No10," a Benfica source told Tribalfootball.com. "It's just about finding the best role for him."
Sanches' elevation has quickly established him as one of the most popular players amongst the Benfica support. It's a development which has brought no resentment from inside the locker room. The players know they're seeing something special.
Benfica striker Jonas says: "He is a very great player, a young man, a prospect at 18 years of age, with all the features needed for modern football.
"He has strength, quality, gets into the area and creates goals."
Jonas adds: "He's a player who has improved a lot, just turned professional recently, but for some time now has been training with us. At that time, he already showed his quality and this season has confirmed all the expectations we had about him."
Spotted as a junior player with Águias da Musgueira by Benfica's academy chief Jorge Mendonca, a short training stint was enough to convince the Portuguese giants to make an offer for the youngster. Even at junior level, Sanches was turning heads and as Águias da Musgueira president António Quadros was considering Benfica's proposal, Sporting CP came in with a bid of their own.
But Sanches had grown up a Benfica fan and Quadros kept his word to the family that the final decision would be left to them.
Seeing the likes of Manchester United now expressing interest comes as no surprise to Quadros.
"He is playing well and showing his value," says Quadros. "Our hope is that he goes on. As a kid he was very intense, he was an arrow ... I always believed he could be a superstar."
It's been nine years since Quadros agreed to sell Sanches to Benfica.
"I feel very happy because he is a kid I have always supported, I've always hoped things would go well for him.
"There is no money to pay for the happiness he gave us."
Former Benfica star Vítor Paneira is happy Quadros had the foresight to allow Sanches to make his dream move. Paneira is convinced the 18 year-old is destined to be Benfica's next big thing.
"He's done well since getting into the team and is a player connected to Benfica, the mystique of the club is ingrained in him," says Paneira.
Of Sanches' qualities, the former Tondela manager agrees with Jonas - the Benfica youngster is the modern midfielder.
"He's very strong physically and plays with an intensity which can unsettle the opposition.
"He can play that quality pass, but also keep it simple and knows when to hold the ball or when to beat the opponent.
"Not bad for a kid of 18 years of age!
"He is already worth many millions."
While Paneira highlights the physical qualities of Sanches, there is a concern from some inside Portuguese football that Vitoria is asking too much too soon from his rookie midfielder.
"Should Rui Vitoria manage him carefully? No!" declares Benfica hero Diamantino Miranda.
"I started playing in the seniors at 16 years of age, in the big team of Vitoria Setúbal and Chalana before getting to Benfica. When the coaches recognise potential in players, there is no age.
"And the experience only comes to those who get to play. He must play!"
Which is just what Vitoria is doing, even though with every eye-catching performance it edges Sanches closer to the exit door.
Vitoria knows about the United interest and insists whatever happens in the coming months (or days?), Benfica can be proud to have brought through such a talent.
"There's no fear," says the coach. "The player is not mine, he's Benfica's. We cannot be afraid of what we create. We cannot say that we have an excellent training system and then be afraid that players have these pathways.
"He is a young man who has had a fantastic evolution and is likely to be wanted by those who watch.
"He is a great player and will have a bright future ahead of him."
