'The New Pogba' cost Benfica just 750 euros

His nom de guerre is Renato and he's worth 80€M according to his buy-out clause that Benfica just raised due to reported interest from Real Madrid, Barça, Bayern and Manchester City. Nine years ago he cost Benfica just 750 euros.

Renato Sanches was nine years of age after all, but that tiny investment looks to pay high dividends as the eighteen year-old has established himself in the Benfica first team and is attracting the interest of Europe's powerhouses.

Built like a tank, fizzing with energy and industry, he's a box-to-box player, an indefatigable ball-winner, qualities that have seen him nicknamed 'the new Pogba'.

He'll be nineteen in August and is one of the finds of the season in the Portuguese league, Benfica know they have a real prospect on their hands, but, of course, he needs time. He's a footballer with strength in abundance, intensity, a mini-tornado in central midfield who wins the ball back, sometimes after he himself has given it away, and is still in the process of discovering his own power and potential.

Dominating that potential, administering his energy and staying focused is the challenge that lies ahead for the gifted youngster, his vision needs to improve also - his awareness and decision-making which should all come with time.

Renato was brought in to the Benfica setup at just nine years of age, arriving from Águias de Musgueira. Nine years later he's established himself in the first team, almost by accident, Rui Vittoria forced into promoting some youth prospects due to a long injury list.

The youngster was thrown in at the deep-end with a debut in the Champions' League against Astana and since then has become a regular in the first eleven, particularly in the more challenging matches.

With such stellar interest, Benfica will do well to ward off the courtiers to the boy who cost them just 750 euro.