South America has a long history of producing some of the best talents in the game and some of the world’s best players have all emerged from this football-mad continent. Ronaldinho, Gago, Redondo, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Oscar, Coutinho, Firmino, and James Rodriguez are just some of the amazing talents who have played for top clubs across Europe this millennium.
Recently, Gabigol and Gabriel Jesus made big money moves to Inter Milan and Manchester City respectively. So who are the top talents in South America next in line to make a move to Europe. Let us take a look:
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#5 Cristian Gutierrez (Colo-Colo)
Canadian-born Cristian Gutierrez has been turning heads in Chile with his solid performances at left-back for Chile’s biggest club Colo-Colo. Having spent most of his youth career at Chile, Gutierrez is considered to be a Chilean and is already on the verge of making his senior national debut for the Rojiblancos, despite being only 19.
Extremely solid defensively and capable of bombing up and down the flanks tirelessly, Cristian Gutierrez has been drawing praise from almost everyone in South America for his mature and calm displays in the left-back position for Colo-Colo.
Plenty of European superclubs like Liverpool, Tottenham, AC Milan and Inter Milan are said to be interested in the Chilean. Still only 19 and available for a relatively low price, Cristian Gutierrez might just prove to be a valuable bargain for the top European clubs.
#4 Luan (Gremio)
Brought up playing futsal, talented Brazilian forward Luan caught the world’s eye with his stunning performances for Gremio and Brazil in the Olympics. The 23-year old Brazilian attacker is capable of playing as an out and out forward or as a supporting striker and has quick feet and amazing dribbling skills which can leave defenders flat-footed.
Liverpool, Manchester United and Barcelona are all said to be interested in the Gremio forward. A hard worker who is able to play in multiple attacking positions, Luan was included in last season's Brasileirão Team of the Year as the league’s best forward alongside Ricardo Oliviera.
Gabigol and Gabriel Jesus were rewarded for their good performances in the Olympics with moves to Inter Milan and Manchester City respectively and it only looks like a matter of time before Luan follows his compatriots to Europe.
#3 Thiago Maia (Santos)
A defensive midfielder capable of breaking up play and setting up attacks with equal ease, Thiago Maia is considered to be one of the brightest talents in Santos and Brazil. Already a first-team regular at Santos, Maia is considered to be a long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets at Barcelona although Chelsea, Manchester United and Juventus have all shown an interest.
The player joined Santos in 2011 from Sao Caetano’s youth categories. He went on to make his debut for Santos in October 2014 in the match against Chapecoense, during the Serie A Championship. The 19-year-old defensive midfielder established himself as a regular starter at Santos in the 2015 campaign after an injury forced fellow Brazilian Alison Lopes Ferreira out in June.
An integral part of the Brazil squad which won the Olympic gold medal, Thiago Maia might well be playing in Europe next season, with Barcelona or Chelsea being his most likely destination.
#2 Rodrigo Bentancur (Boca Juniors)
Aged just 19, Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is already a regular in the Boca Juniors squad. Bentancur is considered to be one of the brightest young talents in the Argentinian league and he even won the Revelation of the Year award from Clarin newspaper at the end of the 2015/16 season.
Capable of playing across many positions in midfield, Bentancur himself said:
“I’m a No.8 or a No.5,” says Bentancur. “I’m not an enganche. I consider myself more of a Gago than a Riquelme, though both are idols.” And other players he looks up to? “Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets,” Bentancur revealed. “Because of their technique and because I admire the way they play.”
All the top clubs across Europe are interested in securing the signing of this amazing talent with Real Madrid, Juventus and Arsenal favourites to sign him. The Arsenal scouts in particular are said to be very impressed with him and they believe that he can deal with the physicality of the Premier League.
#1 Lucas Lima (Santos)
A full Brazil international and one of the most gifted playmakers in the world, Lucas Lima has been taking the Brasileirao by storm with his amazing performances for Santos since 2014. It is probably surprising that Lucas Lima is not already playing in Europe, despite regularly being one of the top performers in Brazil.
The left-footed number 10 is also capable of dropping back and help his team out in defence. The talented Brazilian has a dynamic style and his through balls, free-kicks and crosses have created plenty of goal scoring opportunities for the Santos and Brazil national team forwards.
Lucas got a number of big money offers from Porto and teams in the Chinese Super League, but he is holding out hoping for an offer from some of Europe’s top clubs. Tottenham, AC Milan and Chelsea are said to be interested in him and the Brazilian definitely has the talent to cut it at one of the top sides.
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