Some of football’s top agents are fighting their cause to sign up Rennes wonderkid Eduardo Camavinga.
The 18-year-old who cut his ties with agent Moussa Sissoko, is one of the most hotly-coveted young stars in European football after bursting onto the scene last season.
And Europe’s super agents are scrambling to secure his signature to line up a huge transfer in the coming months, according to Spanish newspaper AS.
Among those interested are Jorge Mendes, Jonathan Barnett and Pini Zahivi.
Here Sportsmail takes a look at who the 18-year-old – rated at £62million – could sign for in the future, with top clubs across Europe interested in the midfielder.
Eduardo Camavinga has impressed many across Europe since breaking through last season
His performances at Rennes led to him becoming France’s youngest international of all time
Jorge Mendes is one of several big-name agents interested in representing Camavinga
Manchester United
This one makes a lot of sense, especially if French World Cup-winning star Paul Pogba does leave the club.
Pogba is in his fifth year since rejoining the Red Devils and still the club are struggling to find out how to get the best out of him on a consistent basis.
His talent is without question, but his future at Old Trafford has been a source of contention for many seasons.
It was just last month that he admitted it would be his ‘dream’ to play for Real Madrid one day while Juventus have consistently been linked with re-signing the midfielder.
Should Pogba depart the club in the near future as expected, this opens the door for United to move in on his international team-mate Camavinga, who also plays in midfield.
A move to Manchester United could very much depend on whether Paul Pogba leaves the club
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could reportedly look at Camavinga if they lose Pogba in the future
According to Marca, United are one of three heavyweight teams ‘likely’ to add Camavinga to their squad while a report in Spanish newspaper AS in October said that the Red Devils had ‘set in place a mechanism’ to sign the teenager.
If Pogba leaves and Camavinga arrives, it gives manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a few possibilities and solutions to current problems with their midfield.
Bruno Fernandes is the first man on the team-sheet and with Pogba leaving, it would resolve the questions over whether he and the Frenchman can play together.
Camavinga has the potential to become one of the best defensive midfielders in world football and this could free up £40m signing Donny van de Beek to play as the number eight in a midfield trio with Fernandes.
However in recent weeks Solskjaer has preferred to go with a midfield three of Fernandes, Scott McTominay and Fred, and Camavinga could compete and play ahead of one of the latter two.
Chances of completion 3/5
Real Madrid
What stands in United’s way though is the club which are potentially the favourites to sign up the teenager.
Real Madrid have been linked with Camavinga since last season and Marca reported that they are another one of the three heavyweight teams most likely to secure his services.
Camavinga caught the eye of the Spanish giants for his performances in Ligue 1 last season where he was involved in all 25 – starting 24 – matches for his club last season, helping them to Champions League qualification.
Camavinga would be seen as an ideal replacement for Luka Modric who is in his twilight years
The 18-year-old was even asked about Real Madrid’s interest in him but he remained coy on the subject.
He responded: ‘The great clubs make me dream, but I cannot name one in particular for my future.’
Diario Sport reported in the summer that the club were looking to sign him then but loan him back to Rennes until his contract expires in 2022.
A move to Real Madrid would see him coached by legendary French star Zinedine Zidane
With Luka Modric in the twilight years of his career at the age of 35, Camavinga would be seen as a suitable replacement for the former Ballon D’or winner.
Real Madrid are looking to snap up the world’s best young talent to revamp their team over the coming seasons.
AS reported that the club hope to sign Camavinga, along with compatriot Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland from Dortmund over the next two summer transfer windows.
Camavinga could play in midfield three alongside Casemiro and Toni Kroos and behind a frightening front three of Eden Hazard, Haaland and Mbappe.
Chances of completion 4/5
Paris Saint-Germain
The reigning Ligue 1 champions are the third heavyweight team likely to scrap it out for Camavinga, according to Marca.
Though Real Madrid have been seen as favourites, PSG are reportedly determined to ensure he remains in France.
And the club’s interest has not even been made a secret with manager Thomas Tuchel confirming in September that he would ‘like’ to add him to the squad, but it may not be financially viable.
As reported by Goal, Tuchel said: ‘Would I like to have him on my team? Yes, of course. But I can’t talk about other players, who are not from my team.
‘He’s one of the best players in Ligue 1. He’s a great player, very strong, with a great future. But he also plays in a great team which plays in the Champions League. But that’s not how it goes, it’s not Monopoly.
He could play alongside Mbappe at PSG or potentially at Real Madrid, who want both players
Thomas Tuchel has previously confirmed interested in signing Camavinga from Rennes
‘I’m not going to say not to recruit him, but that’s not how it goes.’
While many teams are struggling with the economic consequences of Covid-19, it is expected that despite Tuchel’s claims, they would likely have the finances to make the £62m move happen.
Camavinga would strengthen PSG’s midfield going forward and immediately offer an alternative option in a midfield which currently consists of the likes of Marco Verrati, Marquinhos, Leandro Parades and Ander Herrera.
Winning the race for the teenager would be a huge signal of intent from PSG with constant links away from the club surrounding their best players Mbappe and Neymar.
Chances of completion 3/5
Arsenal
The Gunners have already added Thomas Partey to their midfield ranks but they still seem a bit light in that area of the pitch.
Football London have linked both Arsenal and Tottenham with the 18-year-old wonderkid and said he could energise the midfield of both clubs.
The thought of Camavinga alongside Partey would be an exciting prospect for Gunners fans as they would form a resolute midfield partnership to cover their defence.
Camavinga would create a formidable midfield partnership with Thomas Partey at Arsenal
Either Camavinga or Partey would sit back with the other surging forward as both can play the midfield box-to-box role well.
Arsenal have been interested in the teenager since last season, although Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar is another highly-rated talent of a similar mold who they could go for.
One thing that could count against the Gunners though is the lack of foreseeable Champions League football, unless Mikel Arteta’s team improve this season and scrape into the top four.
Chance of completion 1/5
Tottenham
Football London reported that Jose Mourinho’s side could rival their North London rivals for the signature of the Rennes teenager.
Should he join Tottenham he would likely line up alongside Pierre-Emile Hojberg who has impressed since his summer move from Southampton.
He would face more competition to get into the Spurs team initially however with the likes of Moussa Sissoko, Harry Winks and Tanguy Ndombele all competing for starting positions.
One potential boost for Spurs would be if Gareth Bale’s agent Barnett, secures the services of Camavinga.
Tottenham have a number of similar midfield options but could be interested by Camavinga
Tottenham could get a boost if Jonathan Barnett (right) represents the French midfielder
Barnett played a crucial part in negotiating the deal which saw Bale arrive back at Spurs on loan during the summer.
Given their impressive start to the season as they sit top of the Premier League, then Champions League football next season would give them an edge over their North London rivals.
However if Camavinga does indeed cost £62m then Jose Mourinho’s side will need to splash the cash to snap him up. Other teams look more likely at the minute to sign the teenage star.
Chances of completion 1/5
Bayern Munich
It was just in the summer that Bayern Munich were touted by AS as favourites to sign the 18-year-old but they seem to have fallen down the pecking order.
Their interest came with the departure of star Thiago to Liverpool, Michael Cuisance was loaned out to Marseille after making nine appearances for the club last season while Javi Martinez looks set to leave the club in the future.
In the summer Bayern ended up making a move for Espanyol’s defensive midfielder Marc Roca.
Camavinga would find it tough to break into Bayern Munich side, who are strong in midfield
A move to Bayern who are arguably Europe’s best team at present, would see Camavinga facing a lot more competition to get into the side.
The 18-year-old would have to compete with the likes of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka for a starting berth.
Bayern seem to have fallen down the pecking order for Camavinga but would have a strong case if they decide to pounce.
Chances of completion 2/5