Benfica have become the latest side to join the race for Trabzonspor starlet Yusuf Yazici.
A source close to the club revealed to Turkish-Football that the Portuguese side have been scouting their star man.
The Eagles have established contact through third parties to make an enquiry but as of yet no formal talks have been held.
There have been rumors of Benfica wanting to replace Anderson Talisca with Yazici.
Besiktas have a €21 million buyout clause option for the Brazil international who is into his second loan spell at the club.
Considering Talisca has not actually played for Benfica over the last two seasons, Yazici would actually be a transfer target in his own right, not a replacement.
Benfica could however, face competition from Arsenal.
The Gunners interest in the 21-year-old has been no secret.
The rising star was snapped up by Dr Erkut Sogut last summer, the same agent who represents Mesut Ozil.
Sogut has been promoting his new client across Europe and he was brought to Arsenal’s attention.
Yazici has been likened to Ozil by the man himself.
Ozil waxed lyrical about Yazici in a recent interview with the Sabah newspaper: “I really like Trabzonspor duo Yusuf Yazici and Abdulkadir Omur, they are incredible talents.
“Yusuf Yazici is an amazing No 10.
“We have a lot of similarities and I myself in him.
“His left foot, his position, his close passing and calmness on the ball.
“We will see Yusuf at a big European club in the near future.”
Yazici has seven goals and five assists in all competitions for Trabzonspor this season.
The 21-year-old’s contract runs until 2022 and Trabzonspor value him as being worth £17.5 million.
