The boys from Brazil- The Premier League's five most wanted

Who are they?

Oscar

Age: 20 Club: Internacional Position: Midfielder

Chelsea are frontrunners for Oscar's signature, with some reports claiming a deal is already completed. It is clear the club are working on a move and official terms may be agreed later this week. The young star featured in Brazil's 4-3 friendly loss to Argentina last month, scoring too. He rose to prominence when he led Brazil to win the under-20 World Cup, scoring a sensational hat-trick in the final. He is a deep lying playmaker, who has been compared to former World Footballer of the Year, Kaka, as well as Xavi. He likes to join the attack too as well as create it, and his forward runs often result in goals. His record for his club so far this year stands at six goals and 10 assists. Reports indicate Internacional are ready to deal at the right price. Tottenham are interested too, but at Chelsea he would join another talented young Brazilian, Lucas Piazon, another playmaker who is expected to make in-roads with the first team this season.

Ganso

Age: 22 Club: Santos Position: Midfielder

Attacking midfielder Ganso is one of Brazil's most highly rated talents, and it is easy to see why. He is already a two-time league winner in Brazil and a Copa Libertadores champion, all at 22, and he has also been capped by his country, featuring at the 2011 Copa America. His contract situation is a little complex, it runs until 2015, and he has been the subject of legal battles with third parties in his homeland. He recently rejected an offer from Santos to extend his contract beyond 2015, arguing he feels undervalued by the club, but it would still take a big offer to let him go. He is a playmaker who also has to bear the 'new Kaka' tag and his best season came in 2010 when he scored 13 times. Since then, his career has dipped slightly, thanks to a knee injury and the 'new kids on the block' Oscar and Lucas have pushed him into the shade. Even so the club are unlikely to do business below £25 million. AC Milan have long been linked, while Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal have all been touted as potential destinations for him in recent months, and there is talk of Internacional lining him up as a replacement for Oscar.

Lucas Moura

Age: 19 Club: Sao Paolo Position: Midfielder

Lucas has been strongly linked with Manchester United over recent days, but Inter Milan look currently to be in pole position for his signature according to the latest reports. Not that we expect any imminent deal to be made, Lucas has said he won't be going anywhere until after the Olympics, which could be a wise move on the part of Sao Paolo as his price could rocket further. Chelsea reportedly had a big money bid turned down for him in January, and Real Madrid are also among his suitors. He is only 19, but has won a series of individual awards, and is a Brazil international, scoring against Argentina last year after making his debut in the 2-0 win over Scotland. This season he has nine goals and seven assists to his name so far, and is tipped to make a big impression at London 2012. His quick feet and silky dribbling skills make him a joy to watch, and he would be a real asset to the Premier League.

 

Leandro Damiao

Age: 22 Club: Internacional Position: Striker

Damiao has been repeatedly linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, but his club say they have received no bids. The striker has been prolific in his homeland, scoring 70 goals in just over 110 games. He is also a Copa Libertadores winner, a tournament he won alongside Spurs midfielder Sandro. He too is a Brazilian international, with nine caps, and hopes to lead the line in 2014. Big spenders PSG have also been linked, along with Manchester United, but neither have made their move. Internacional recently signed Diego Forlan from Inter Milan, sparking speculation he is arriving to replace Damiao. He impressed last summer in the European pre-season when he netted against Barcelona and didn't look out of place at all in such esteemed company.

Neymar

Age: 20 Club: Santos Position: Striker

Forget about signing this kid, his club simply won't have it. Neymar is rated as one of the best in the world, and he insists he does not have to leave for Europe just yet to prove it. If he were to be put up for sale now he would fetch easily over £40 million, with Barcelona, and Real Madrid both keen. Manchester City and Chelsea may be just about the only two English clubs able to afford him, but there is a lot of political pressure on Santos to reject big money bids and keep the poster-boy of the 2014 Brazil World Cup in his homeland before the tournament. His extravagant hairstyle may not be to everybody's taste, but when you are ranked in the top 10 richest footballers in the world at only 20, who cares? He already has 100 professional goals to his name- and been compared to the great Pele, and will bring his talents to the UK at the Olympics this summer.

Which of these five would you most like to see in the Premier League?

image: © jikatu