Gedson Fernandes has always been hot property though he now comes at a premium.
The midfielder has joined Tottenham on an 18-month loan deal and will cost €50m if Spurs wish to make the move permanent.
However, he wasn’t always so expensive.
In 2009, Benfica paid only €250 and a bag of 25 footballs to secure the signing of the gifted youngster, according to The Times.
Famed for plucking talented youngsters from football pitches across the globe before nurturing into supreme professionals, the Portuguese giants made a wise investment in landing the ten-year-old when they completed his signing from SC Frielas in Lisbon.
Benfica were offering cash and matchday equipment while Sporting, his other suitors, were offering nothing despite their keenness to get him to their club.
It’s another long-term investment which should see them cash in once again.
Having sold academy graduates Joao Felix, Renato Sanches and Bernardo Silva for mega-money, this could be one of their best sales yet should Fernandes make the grade in north London playing under Jose Mourinho.
Born in Sao Tome, the largest city in Sao Tome and Principe, the central African island, in 1999, Fernandes has come a long way to reach the limelight and riches of the Premier League.
A census from 2018 showed the country has a population of only 200,000 inhabitants and one in particular, has proven to be very good at football.
Playing on the streets of his rural homeland, he found his talent.
The island was discovered by the Portuguese in the 15th century and, so good is Fernandes, he has two caps for Portugal after his family migrated to the country when he was a youngster.
He has appeared at every youth level for Portugal and always been a big prospect.
Having turned 21 this month, he has made 59 appearances for Benfica and his potential is clear.
As a youngster, he was always ahead of his peers.
“Gedson, please come sit down a bit and let the others play," a former youth coach once told this supremely-gifted kid, according to The Sun.
"Coach... please let me play just a little more," he replied. "I promise I won't score anymore."
Now a man, he is strong and combative with a lightning burst of pace as he glides past opponents. Huge energy and industry, he looks like he could become the complete midfielder.
A bag of footballs or €50m, both could look a steal.
