Sporting Lisbon have always had a watch for talent and another time their current crop are garnering many attention - but perhaps none more so than 18-year-old left back Nuno Mendes.

The teenager has already become an everyday within Sporting's squad and his displays have led to interest from the Premier League, with Liverpool keen and Leicester and Newcastle also linked with a move.

And Liverpool have since been placed on alert with Mendes having delayed signing a replacement handle Sporting thanks to fears the reigning Premier League champions would back out of a move if his release clause rises above £40million - consistent with A Bola.

Mendes has amused a fantastic voyage to the highest of the sport after you consider him playing assembled football at just nine years old.

During his matutinal days in football, he was spotted by his prior school teacher, Bruno Botelho, who was left over impressed as he would persist yo solicit him to arrange with local club Despertar on the outskirts of London.

And Mendes quickly made huge impressions immediately in his new surroundings being assimilated to Brazilian Legend Ronaldinho.

'We did a one-on-one practise opposing the goalkeeper to work out where he was robust,' Botelho told Record. 'Nuno lifted the take aback the goalkeeper with a "cabrito" (rainbow flick), and scored with a no-look finish like Ronaldinho accustomed do.'

One of his other coaches previously, Diego Goncalves, added: 'We always initiated practise with the "Ball-Hunter". We granted six or seven balls to 14 kids and that they strived to induce the ball off of every other.

'The exercise ended when Nuno was without the ball, which usually took around quarter-hour. Just to determine the standard he had - it had been outstanding.'

Mendes certainly wasn't in need of suitors thanks to his incredible ability on the ball as a toddler, and he would soon attract heavy interest from Sporting Lisbon, Benfica and Porto - Portugal's three giants.

Soon Porto found themselves out the running and it had been between Sporting and Benfica for his signature.

Despite attending training with Benfica, Mendes finally opted to check in the road with Sporting back in 2012 having spent a year with Despertar.

Mendes was convinced that Sporting was the right project for him after a gathering with the club's scout Akil Momade, whether or not he was initially suspicious when the latter turned up at his door.

'He saw me playing and called me to talk to him. Later, after i used to be alone reception, he knocked on my door. I found it strange and visited to urge a knife from the kitchen,' he explained to Record. 'I thought they were visiting to rob me.

'When I opened the door I saw that it absolutely him which i used to be calm. He even showed me a Sporting card so i might not be suspicious. He told me they wanted me there which I went with all my heart.'

Mendes hasn't always been a left back by trade, and it absolutely Sporting who believed this was the position he would end up flourishing in.

Growing up, the Portuguese youngster - born in Sintra - played with within the No 10 position or as a decent wide forward.

However, Sporting soon converted him into a left back where he has since attracted the interest of number of Europe's elite clubs.

The Portuguese giants were firm within their opinion that his immense speed and attacking attributes would help him become one in every of the foremost coveted left backs within the game.

However, it wasn't all plain-sailing for Mendes - whose time in Lisbon could are up before he knew it.

The club's youth coaches previously admitted that they considered about releasing him as he was struggling to convert into a left back.
Mendes certainly hasn't looked back since his initial problems at left back, and is now attracting interest from across Europe thanks to his mature and blistering displays on the flank.

Mendes, who idolises David Alaba and Marcelo, earned his chance to shine within the primary team after the coronavirus pandemic brought an early end to the youth season - with the 18-year-old one in every form of academy players called up to the senior squad.

The defender, on the eve of his 18th birthday, would go onto become the youngest star to be named in Sporting's starting line-up against Tondela since Cristiano Ronaldo.

He has gone from strength to strength since, showing incredible pace, and robust crossing and dribbling skills going forward to help his attack-minded team-mates.

But in defence he's as impressive and perhaps a tough left back to beat. Mendes, in his 19 appearances in Sporting's squad thus far, has displayed great positioning and is powerful within the tackle while his athleticism allows him to trace back efficiently.

It's not hard to work out why Liverpool and Co have an interest within the teenager's signature...

Mendes, who has yet to feature for Portugal's senior team, is in high demand already but Liverpool and folks in pursuit have a hard job on their hands to grab their man.

Sporting will look to do and do everything to create their exciting young talent stay in Lisbon, with the club's president Frederico Varandas having previously labelled him because the 'best under-19 left back in Europe'.

After making the grade in Sporting's squad and emerging as united because the foremost sought-after youngsters in Europe, Mendes was tied all the way all the way down to a novel accept Lisbon until 2025.

Sporting have since made improving his terms a 'priority issue' and need to increase his £12,000-a-week contract already to forstall off interest from Europe's elite.

Mendes is additionally delaying signing a fresh handle with the club amid Liverpool's interest but Jurgen Klopp's side still have it all to do and do to steer Sporting to sell their prized asset.