The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's (KSA) Public Investment Fund (PIF) are reportedly in a huge race to sign midfield gem Kendry Paez for Newcastle United.
The Lowdown: Future star
Paez is a future star of the game, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbing him a 'world-class talent', and international scout Ron Dor even going as far as to call him 'ridiculous'.
The Ecuadorian is only 15 years of age but has already been capped five times at international level for the U17s, scoring three goals (Transfermarkt).
He plays his club football for Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle, and was the star of 2022’s Next Generation Trophy, where his team made the final.
The Latest: Newcastle interest
Writing in his latest piece for 90min, transfer expert Graeme Bailey says that Newcastle are among a whole host of clubs to have spoken to Paez's representatives to register their interest in signing him.
11 other teams in the Premier League are also thought to be interested in his signature, alongside European heavyweights Real Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, PSG, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, Inter Milan and Atalanta.
Paez is seen as the next big talent to come out of Ecuador after Brighton and Hove Albion central midfielder Moises Caicedo, who was subject to a £70m bid from Arsenal in the January transfer window.
However, Independiente are reluctant to sell this year, and Paez cannot actually move to a European club until 2025, when he turns 18.
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The Verdict: Tough competition
The Magpies would have to fend off a lot of tough competition if they are to sign Paez, with a number of the sides mentioned already well-established in European football.
Still, they will want to grow their exciting young crop of players at St. James' Park, having already signed teenage talents Garang Kuol and Harrison Ashby.
Nonetheless, Paez looks to be a star in the making, and the Tynesiders would do well to get him on their books.