Sky Sports Scout - Gonzalo Barreto

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Latest under our scout's gaze is future Lazio forward Gonzalo Barreto - recommended by Sky Sports reader Graham Wallace.

The scout reports...

South America has long been recognised as a hot-bed of talent and Gonzalo Barreto could be the next superstar to emerge from that part of the world.

The Uruguayan teenager has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence in recent times and is held in high regard in his homeland.

At just 17 years old he has already secured a move to one of Europe's biggest clubs, with Serie A giants Lazio prepared to take a gamble on his undoubted potential.

The Italian outfit have splashed out around €3million (£2.75m) on a player who is not yet eligible to turn out for their first-team.

Barreto will head to his new employers at the end of the Uruguayan season, where he is currently on the books of Danubio, but will be unable to push for a first-team place in Rome until he turns 18 in January 2010.

If his progress so far is anything to go by, though, it should not be too long before the youngster breaks into the fold at Stadio Olimpico.

Having graduated through the youth ranks at Danubio he was awarded his senior debut earlier this year.

Just one appearance was all it took for Lazio to make a move for his services, keen to fend off interest from a number of other clubs.

While his experience at the top level is minimal, Barreto has shone for the Uruguay U17 side in the past and looks more than capable of forging a name for himself in Europe.

His vision, keen eye for goal, quick feet and lightning reactions should see him ideally suited to life in the Italian top flight and do not be surprised if he is thrown into action by Davide Ballardini sooner rather than later.

At just 5feet 8inches tall there is an air of the Lionel Messi about Barreto, although he does prefer to play in a much more central role to that often taken up by Barcelona's mercurial Argentine and is regarded more of a Michael Owen-esque frontman than a natural playmaker.

The scout says...

All the signs appear to suggest that Barreto is more than capable of making the step up to the European stage at such a young age, however only time will tell whether his big move has come too soon.

He insists he is ready for the challenges which lie ahead and he will not have given up hope of forcing his way into the Uruguay national side ahead of next summer's World Cup, should they book a place in South Africa.

The Scout rating...

Shooting: 8 out of 10

Passing: 8 out of 10

Tackling: 6 out of 10

Heading: 6 out of 10

Pace: 8 out of 10

Vision: 8 out of 10

Current ability: 7 out of 10

Potential ability: 10 out of 10

OVERALL SCOUT RATING: 61/80

Current value: £3million

Potential value: £20million

Your opinion...

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