Meet the 21-year-old striker Man United, Man City and Chelsea are scrapping over

This 21-year-old forward can bully defenders in the air, hold up play like a seasoned pro and, at 6ft 1in, harbours enough skill and mobility to draw comparisons with the likes of Sergio Aguero.

Meet the man threatening to send Europe's top clubs into a transfer war...

Name: Nelson Miguel Castro Oliveira
Date of birth: 8 August 1991
Born: Barcelos, Portugal
Position: Striker
Club: Deportivo (on loan from Benfica)
International: 8 Portugal caps, one goal

What's the latest?
England's big spending three are reportedly keeping a close eye on Portugal's bright young striker, Nelson Oliveira, who has sparkled for Deportivo in La Liga since a summer loan move from Portuguese giants Benfica. A bid of £24m in January would trigger Oliveira's release clause, potentially igniting a bidding war between Man United, Man City and Chelsea.

Did you know?
1) Oliveira came to prominence at the 2011 U20 World Cup, where Portugal finished runners-up to Brazil. He was voted the tournament's second best player behind highly rated Brazilian Henrique and bagged four goals, including this one in the final:

2) The young forward is highly decorated because his mobility and close control defy the 6ft 1in frame that makes him equally threatening aerially, as well as helping him hold up play. It wasn't until a substitute appearance for Benfica at Stamford Bridge though, in last year's Champions League quarter-final, that England's top dogs began taking note of the Portuguezer's potential.

3) A surprise inclusion in Portugal's Euro 2012 squad, Oliveira climbed off the bench during the second period in all four of Portugal's fixtures. A number of experts, including talkSPORT's very own Stan Collymore, called for the youngster to be handed a starting berth in favour of ex-Spurs man Helder Postiga after his promising first couple of cameos.

4) In August 2012, Oliveira notched his first senior international goal for Portugal on his eighth apperance, during a 2-0 friendly win over Panama - and what a beauty it turned out to be:

5) Oliviera followed that wonder strike up with a bright start to his season long loan at Deportivo, where he's bagged two goals in four substitute La Liga outings. He ran with the ball for the first of those two strikes (below) from Deportivo's half, before executing a deft chip to seal a 2-0 victory:

He says
"It wasn't a surprise to leave Benfica on loan, I used my initiative. I'm going to play in the best league in the world, with the exception of the Premier League... and I will grow as a player."

They say
"He was a five star kid. Well educated, didn't cause any trouble. But he always wanted more: to train harder, to play for longer. He already spoke about becoming a professional footballer and he was very ambitious." Eusebio Fernandes - Oliviera's football coach when he was a 10 year-old

Video evidence

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