OPINION
Leeds United have transformed their youth set-up during the Andrea Radrizzani era through a coaching and recruitment shake-up.
They would be making comfortably the most stunning youthful swoop of modern times if they were to beat other English clubs to the signing of Brazilian sensation Martinell.
According to TEAMTalk, that is a real possibility as Leeds are hot on the heels of the 17-year-old attacker, as are Premier League high flyers Watford.
Martinelli is a richly promising forward in the truest tradition of rising stars from his country and it is said that he is already commanding a fee of £10million even though he is yet to establish himself in the first team at Brazilian outfit Ituano.
Rated one of the hottest prospects in his homeland, the wonderkid has scored bucketloads of goals at youth-team level, including 64 in 92 matches for for Ituano.
Those are persuasive numbers, even if a £10million investment in a rising rather than established star would represent a major gamble for a Championship club.
Much, of course, will depend upon whether Leeds are successful in securing promotion at the end of the season.
Should they reach the holy grail of the Premier League, they must look at the recruitment of a club like Watford, who have carved out a significant and impressive niche for buying overseas bargains and selling on for major profit.
They made a £30million profit when selling Richarlison to Everton last summer, and Leeds must set up to operate in a similar way if they are in the Premier League next season.
Finding hidden gems from overseas is an inexact science, but Leeds can strike gold by winning the race of a potential future star of Brazilian football in Martinelli.
Elland Road will surely erupt if they can get a deal done.