Chelsea in battle for the new Ronaldinho

Brazil's latest teenage striking sensation, Lulinha, is about to find himself at the centre of a European auction involving the Continent's biggest clubs.

After Milan snapped up another rising Samba star, Alexandre Pato, last summer, the hunt is on for the next big thing and Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan could also be among those ready to make the £8 million investment.

Represented by the agent Wagner Ribiero, who took Robinho to Madrid, Corinthians' No10 Lulinha is looking for a move as his 18th birthday approaches in April and his contract expiry in 2009 draws near.

Ribiero is embarking on a round of talks through Europe's biggest leagues to establish firm interest and the Brazilian press insist he has already held talks at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have sent scouts to watch him recently and through Roman Abramovich's personal scout and South American football expert Piet de Visser, already know him well.

Yet they are not the only ones keeping tabs on the player. Lulinha, like Ronaldinho and Anderson before him, is preceded by his formidable reputation.

He joined Corinthians at the age of eight and his ambitious father Vanderlei has ensured that his undoubted talent and enormous potential has become common knowledge in South America.

His full name is Marcelo Moraes dos Reis Lula and he was brought up in Santa Maria, in the south, playing Brazilian five-a-side 'futsal'.

Lulinha's box of tricks, passing ability and assured finishing have earned him a string of hyperbolic comparisons and at the age of 14 he became another in the long line of players tipped to become the new Ronaldinho.

The name on his birth certificate has led to him being called the President of Goals due to its likeness to one of his country's key political figures but most Brazilians call him 'The Squid' because he's such a slippery customer.

In 2005, Lulinha scored 27 goals in 15 games for his youth team and shone for Brazil's Under 15s as they won the Tampa Tournament.

At the South American Under 17 Championship in March, he guided his country to victory and finished top scorer with 12 goals.

Aware of Chelsea's interest, Lulinha said earlier this year: "Every player dreams of playing for a European giant like Barcelona, Real Madrid or any other big club for that matter.

"I'm no different. I would like to play there."

South American footballers have not always settled well in England but, describing himself as having a mixture of Kaka's speed and Ronaldinho's skill, Lulinha would have the confidence to give it a try.