Sky Sports Scout is where we scour the globe looking for the best talent, next up is Lazar Markovic.
We run the rule over Serbian starlet Lazar Markovic
Sky Sports Scout is our exciting feature where we scour the globe looking out for the best talent and bring you a report on what we find.
Our Scout will report back and you can comment on what you think of our appraisal.
Also, in association with Football Manager, we give all readers the chance to win a copy of the latest game by nominating a player.
You can only nominate a player by
emailing here, including the word 'Scout' in your subject line and please check to make sure we have not already covered the player.
Should your player get reviewed by our scout, and you were first to send in his name, then you will win a copy of Football Manager 2012.
You can also now interact with the scout via his all new Twitter feed! You can get in touch with him and interact
here or just search for @skysportsscout!
Latest under our scout's gaze is Partizan Belgrade's
Lazar Markovic - recommended by
Sky Sports reader
Jonathon Woolman.
The scout reports...
Next on my agenda is a player quickly emerging as one of the top young talents in European football, Serbia's Lazar Markovic.
17-year-old Markovic made his first-team debut less than 12 months ago, but he has made rapid progress in that time, becoming a first-team regular under Avram Grant.
Markovic began playing as a youngster with home-town club Borac Cacak, but his potential was soon spotted by Partizan and he joined their youth academy aged just 12 in 2006.
After settling well in Belgrade, Markovic was soon called up by Serbia's national team and he has since emerged as their Under 19 skipper, before being called up by the Under 21s last year.
It was last year when then coach Aleksandar Stanojevic drafted him into his squad and in May he made his debut as a second-half substitute.
That summer Markovic was handed a five-year contract by Partizan, and he was soon a first choice - which is a remarkable achievement given his age, although he has taken to the first team like a proverbial duck to water.
Linking the midfield and attack, Markovic has found his niche and looks an outstanding prospect, and why he is already being touted as a £10million-plus player with some of England's top sides showing an interest.
Chelsea are one of the clubs linked, and Markovic has named them as his favourite team, with Gianfranco Zola his boyhood hero and it is clear to see that he has likened his game to the Italian. Although vastly different in size and stature with Markovic slender and tall, his game is similar.
Easy on the eye, and fleet of foot, Markovic is a constant menace in the final third - where he can run at defenders or pick apart a defence with a pass, at will.
Like Zola he can also finish with great aplomb, and it is very easy to see why some of Europe's biggest clubs already think he is worth taking a gamble on.
The scout says...
Markovic has his head screwed on and has already declared he would not consider moving for two years, but that may depend on Partizan.
Clearly the youngster would benefit from remaining in Belgrade for a few more years, but if he continues to progress as he has done in the last 12 months, then Partizan may be left with little option but to cash in.
The Scout rating...
Shooting: 7 out of 10
Passing: 8 out of 10
Tackling: 6 out of 10
Heading: 7 out of 10
Pace: 8 out of 10
Vision: 9 out of 10
Current ability: 7 out of 10
Potential ability: 10 out of 10
OVERALL SCOUT RATING: 62/80
Current value: £14million
Potential value: £60million
Your opinion...
You have read our opinion of Lazar Markovic - now we want your views. Have you seen Markovic in action? Do you agree with our assessment? Do you think he will make it?
Get in touch, either using the form below, email or the scout's Twitter feed - @skysportsscout
And if you have spotted anyone you think we should feature then please get in touch using the same form. We will look to send out the Scout to follow up your leads.
