South American Under-20 Championships: Premier League scouts are holed up in Ecuador spotting brightest young South American talent
We bring you the lowdown on all the best names to come out of the tournament who could be in Europe before you know it
TOP scouts from around the Premier League are currently holed up in Ecuador for the next two weeks as the good and great of South America’s youth prospects put on a showcase.
In the past, the South American Under-20 Championship has produced the likes of Neymar, who finished as top-scorer in 2011, and Edinson Cavani.
Get the lowdown on the next generation’s stars as Football Whispers analyses which players are likely to have clubs clambering for their signatures before too long...
Rodrigo Bentancur (Uruguay)
Rodrigo Bentancur didn’t do himself any favours by being sent off in Uruguay’s second group stage match against Argentina.
But indiscretions aside, the Boca Juniors product is still very much shaping up to be the elegant midfielder that his talent promises.
Though the 19-year-old is a playmaker who likes to sit deep, he shows a natural tendency to drive on – whether from the centre or out wide – and has tricky enough feet to beat defenders, despite his gangly frame.
Comfortable with both feet, he has been described as anything between Boca legends Fernando Gago and Juan Roman Riquelme, though is not yet as tidy as the former or as creative as the latter.
He is still a player in demand and rumour has it that Juventus are in pole position for his signature, having negotiated a first refusal clause for the Uruguayan already.
But that’s not to say another club could not muscle in if they like what they see.
Santiago Ascacibar (Argentina)
What diminutive Estudiantes midfielder Santiago Ascacibar lacks in size – he stands at just 5ft 7ins – he more than makes up for in technical ability.
The 19-year-old playmaker already has more than 30 top-flight appearances under his belt in Argentina and represented his country at the Rio Olympics last year.
With an impressive range of passing and razor-sharp vision, Ascacibar pulls the strings in the middle of the park, constructing attacking moves from deep and making his team-mates look good by ensuring they receive the ball on the exact blade of grass to required.
And much like compatriot Javier Mascherano, Ascacibar is tenacious in the tackle and able to read the game like a seasoned pro, breaking up opposition attacks with timely interceptions.
Caio Henrique (Brazil)
One player scouts from major European clubs will find might already be beyond their means is Brazil’s Caio Henrique.
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder was snapped up by Atletico Madrid a year ago, and last summer the Champions League finalists tied the promising youngster down to a new long-term contract with a whopping €30million release clause.
Henrique was handed his senior debut by Diego Simeone this season, turning out in a Copa del Rey tie against CD Guijuelo in November.
Having impressed during pre-season for Los Colchoneros, the Brazilian starlet is viewed as a potential heir to Gabi or Tiago in the centre of midfield at the Vicente Calderon.
Artur Victor Guimaraes (Brazil)
Artur Victor Guimaraes, known as Arturzinho, is another Brazilian who will be drawing interest from Europe at the tournament.
The 18-year-old striker has featured twice already for the Selecao juniors but has not yet found the net.
In typical Brazilian style, Aturzinho is fast, skilful and an accomplished finisher.
Though yet to establish himself as a regular for the Palmeiras first team, he does already have a Campeonato Brasileiro winners’ medal in his collection thanks to his part in the club’s title triumph last season.
He has plenty of maturing to do, but don’t be surprised to see Arturzinho make the move to Europe, just like his former team-mate and new Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus.
Damir Ceter (Colombia)
After a prolific 2016 season in the Colombian second tier with Deportes Quindio, scoring 14 goals in 25 games, 19-year-old striker Damir Ceter Valencia earned a move to Independiente Santa Fe this year.
Nicknamed Goliat -- “Goliath” – the 6ft 2ins forward is a powerful force in the opposition’s penalty area, posing a serious aerial threat while having the pace to leave his marker for dead.
Ceter is yet to make his debut for Independiente, but big things are expected of the young star.