Liverpool FC are set to complete an £850,000 deal for highly-rated Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Carlos Teixeira

Talks are at an advanced stage for one of Portugal's hottest prospects and Liverpool FC hope to conclude the transfer over the next few days.

The 19-year-old playmaker has been on Liverpool's radar since his stunning performance against them in the NextGen Series match at Anfield back in August.

Teixeira, who has been compared to former Portugal international Deco, opened the scoring that night with a wonderfully crafted goal in front of the Kop and since then club scouts have been tracking his progress.

He hasn't made a first team appearance for Sporting but has trained with their senior squad this season.

Sporting's financial problems explain their willingness to part company with the talented teenager.

Teixeira is the latest in a long line of exciting youngsters to emerge from Sporting's Academy. The Portuguese outfit have also developed the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo and Nani.

If as expected the deal goes through, Teixeira, who has represented his country at under-19 level, would start off at the Liverpool FC Academy as part of Rodolfo Borrell's reserves squad.

Meanwhile, Liverpool FC face a clash with either Barcelona or Ajax in the semi-finals of the NextGen Series if they can get past Tottenham.

Borrell's youngsters take on Spurs at White Hart Lane on Wednesday, February 1 (7pm).

Source: Liverpool Echo

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