Liverpool among the clubs chasing after Paraguayan teenage starlet

The ‘jewel of the Barcelona academy’ Paraguayan striker Toni Sanabria could be the subject of some intense interest from Premier League sides Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City if reports in the Daily Star are to be believed.

The aforementioned daily reports that the Premier League trio are hoping to pounce on the 17 year old and offer him a lucrative long term contract before he becomes eligible to sign professional terms with Barcelona, something which isn’t allowed for players under the age of 18 by Spanish law.

Further media reports suggest that Barca coach ‘Tata’ Martino has held talks with Sanabria in the hope of convincing him to commit his future to the Catalans, to not let the lure of an immediate fortune sway his thinking. However, a lot will really depend on the route to first team action offered to Sanabria, who is no doubt itching to play first team football after having excelled with the Barcelona B team. A move to England would no doubt help accelerate his progress, with Barcelona particularly well blessed as far as their forward line is concerned.

Sanabria has a 3 million euro release clause in his existing contract, a paltry sum for a player of his ability, one that most clubs would be more than happy to pay.