19-year-old João Félix is the latest prospect on Benfica’s conveyor belt of world class talent. And with the history of the club’s starlets and recent rumours suggesting an inevitable move for the youngster, where is he heading next?

After Liverpool saw a £61 million bid rejected for the attacking midfielder this week, and with a £105m buyout clause in his contract, look no further than the top top teams for someone willing to splash out to that extent for a player that holds just 10 Liga NOS appearances to his name.

Despite his inexperience, Félix has wasted no time in showcasing his outstanding potential since making his breakthrough into the first team earlier this season.

The playmaker has a 40% conversion rate thus far, netting four times from 10 attempts this campaign. He also has a goal every 100 minutes in five starts and five substitute appearances, one of which came in the Lisbon derby, where he came on as a substitute to rescue a point for Benfica, and in doing so became the youngest player to score and play in the derby. Impressive reading for the midfield maestro, no wonder Europe’s elite are coming knocking.

With stark similarities to Kaka, although he is three inches smaller, he is a master of exploiting the space in between the defence and the midfield with pace and power, and with incredible vision and an eye for goal, it’ll be a miracle if the Portuguese club hold on to Félix over the coming months, as is so often the case with their wonder-kids. The teenager isn’t their academy product, however.

Félix began his career at FC Porto, but after being branded too small he was released by the Blue & Whites as a 15-year-old. A decision that could prove to be a costly mistake for a player that has come on leaps and bounds since Benfica snapped him up from Padroense a year later.

Félix went on to make his senior debut for Benfica’s reserves aged 16, and since then has relished every opportunity he has been given. Whether he’s been utilised in his natural number 10 role, out wide or as a centre forward, the versatility, creativity and ferocity he has shown regardless of his position is why he is held in such high regard.

Will Liverpool return to secure the Portugal U21 international’s future at Anfield or will their rejected bid prompt interest from elsewhere? Nothing is certain at this point, other than the fact that we should expect to see him playing at the top level for many years to come.