Rated as the ‘next Lionel Messi’ by many…
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Arsenal have been linked with a £60m double swoop for Porto pair Jackson Martinez and Juan Quintero, and while most will be familiar with the former, much less will know about Quintero.
Here’s ten things Gunners need to know about the Colombian.
1) Quintero played for Colombian minnows Envigado as a youngster, where he made his debut as a 16-year-old in 2009.
2) For two seasons, he excelled, scoring five goals in 43 league appearances, which earned him a move to Atletico Nacional in 2011, and then Pescara in 2012.
3) It was his performances at the Under-20 World Cup in 2013 which really brought the youngster to the attention of scouts however, and he signed for FC Porto as a result straight after the tournament.
4) Quintero is destined for greatness, reckons Australian Under-20 coach Paul Okon, who watched him during the Under-20 World Cup: “It’s difficult to judge a player at this age and know if he’ll have a great career, but sometimes it’s just blindingly obvious when you get to see a future star. Juan Quintero has got something extra and you can already see that, despite his young age.”
5) Quintero was then voted MVP as Colombia won the South American Youth Championships.
6) He’s pint-sized, standing at just 5 ft. 6″.
7) As a result of this, and his left-footedness, Quintero has been consistently likened to Lionel Messi.
8) Quintero is technically superb, and prides himself on his ability to thread intricate passes through to onrushing attackers.
9) He’s won 11 caps for Colombia already, despite being aged only 21.
10) Quintero has now bagged six goals for Porto in the league, and has provided countless assists for his partner in crime Jackson Martinez.