Barcelona have been regularly sending scouts to Lisbon to track the progress of Sporting CP winger Gelson Martins.
Gelson impressed in Sporting's late defeat at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid in last month's Champions League clash and has shown huge promise since breaking into the Lisbon side's first-team last year after progressing through the famed youth ranks at the club, which has produced such talents such as Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo.
"The only thing I can say is that we are watching Gelson," admitted Ariedo Braida, Barca's international director of sports.
"He's a young player with a lot of talent who Barcelona are observing and will continue to observe. We have reports on various players and Gelson is one of them.
"A January signing? No, we're just watching him. We've not even spoken with anyone about Gelson.
"I won't lie to you, we are following him, but we aren't negotiating with anyone. Many players disappear with time, others grow. Gelson Martins has potential to be a great player and we will see how he evolves."
