19:36h CEST

Juventus and Barcelona are keeping a close eye on the development of the latest prospect to emerge from the Boca Juniors academy, Leonardo Balerdi.

The Argentina under-20 international recently made his senior debut for the club under Guillermo Barros Schelotto and has attracted interest from the Serie A and Liga giants. A central defender who can also operate as a defensive midfielder, the 19-year-old is seen as one of the brightest talents to emerge from Bocas youth system in recent seasons and Catalan daily Sport has suggested that Juventus are preparing to beat Barça to the youngsters signature.

Boca rejected Barça's opening bid with Juve circling

ALEJANDRO PAGNI (AFP)

The Camp Nou board has already table a bid of 5.5 million euros, which was rejected, and Juve are expected to go back with a higher bid to secure the services of Balerdi, possibly loaning him back to Boca for the remainder of the season.