Arsenal and Man Utd track Brazilian wonderkid on Deco's Barcelona transfer shortlist

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Arsenal and Manchester United are among a long list of top European clubs tracking 17-year-old sensation Rafael Belinho.

The Brazilian gem, who also holds a Croatian passport, has just completed a transfer from Dinamo Zagreb to NK Kustosija.

Sources close to the teenager believe he is widely regarded as among the best 2009-born talents in all of world football.

The reason Belinho has just signed with NK Kustosija is that he was not prepared to pen a long-term professional contract with Dinamo which would have kept him at the club for at least three years with the option of a further two.

The idea is that at NK Kustosija, whose U19 side also play in the top tier of Croatian football, he'll be able to develop freely and then move onto one of Europe's elite clubs once he's turned 18.

Belinho's agent Andy Bara is an investor at NK Kustosija and has already moved two players, Mika Faye and Lovro Chelfi, from the Croatian third-tier club to Barcelona .

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Arsenal , United, Barca and Real Madrid are all aware of the player and are continuing to monitor his progress closely. Brexit regulations would prevent Belinho from officially moving to the Premier League until he has turned 18 next January, however, English clubs can still pounce to sign him, should they wish.

Mirror Football can also reveal Borussia Dortmund are keen on landing the attacker, who operates as a No.10 or right winger. In the past few days, Belinho's representatives have been in Germany for face-to-face discussions with BVB with a view to a potential future transfer.

Discussions were centred around a development plan and refining a pathway but other clubs are also expected to present their project to the starlet and his family before any big decision is made.

Barcelona sporting director Deco is a huge admirer of the player and has a great working professional relationship with Belinho's agents.

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Last September, Deco flew to Zagreb on a business trip and is understood to have met with Belinho and his father.

Both Arsenal and Manchester United have put extra emphasis into signing young talent for the future in recent years.

In December, the Gunners reached a double agreement with Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle for the signings of Edwin and Holger Quintero, who will move to north London once they have turned 18.

Victor Ozhianvuna is also due to arrive from Shamrock Rovers in 2027 and he recently watched Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium. Manchester United have also clinched the signing of Colombian midfield talent Cristian Orozco from Fortaleza.

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