Lautaro Martinez, Arthur & 15 summer transfer targets in Brazil & Argentina

At the tender age of 22, the Boca winger is already a full Argentina international, and was watched closely by Arsenal over the winter before deciding to stay at the Bombonera and fight for the Copa Libertadores alongside Carlos Tevez. Pavon is adept at playing through the middle or down either flank, though it is when he has a nervous full-back in his sights that the ex-Talleres man really shines.

At just 17, Paulinho is already a fixture in the Vasco first team and might just be the next big thing to come out of Brazilian football. The teenager can play off either wing and is improving in leaps and bounds, and while he is still a relative novice, it is only a matter of time before Europe's elite come calling.

Captain of Penarol while barely out of his teens, the Uruguayan midfielder has taken the Primera Division by storm since moving to Boca in 2017. The 21-year-old is strong, confident with the ball at his feet and blessed with a great eye for goal, and is a virtual certainty to make the Celeste squad for the upcoming World Cup. Nandez had attracted attention from Germany before signing at the Bombonera, and if he continues to develop at his current rate, interest from a European giant will arrive sooner rather than later.

While it is invariably the playmakers and forwards that pick up most press time across the Atlantic, few players have been as important to River as cultured centre-back Martinez Quarta. The 21-year-old served a ban for doping offences in 2017 and was sorely missed by his club, but he is now back in the first team and enhancing his already burgeoning reputation in a River side that is otherwise struggling to show its best form.

Nicknamed 'El Toro' (the Bull) for his powerful, determined style, Martinez is undoubtedly the best young all-round strikers currently active in Argentina. His goalscoring exploits for Racing have attracted attention from across the world, but Inter lead the race for his signature.

Much-maligned at the start of his River career for his somewhat erratic form, 'Pity' has matured beyond all expectations and is now one of the cornerstones of Marcelo Gallardo's Millonario squad. The playmaker was courted by Sporting last year, and if he shines in 2018, he should find plenty of doors open across the Atlantic should he decide to seek new climes.

Neymar and Gabi Jesus' partner in crime during Brazil's successful tilt at Olympic gold back in 2016, Luan now boasts a Libertadores winners medal for his collection after inspiring Gremio to continental victory. While his team-mates have already moved overseas, the 24-year-old is presently biding his time, but a big-money transfer to Europe looks inevitable.

The likes of Franco Cervi, Giovani Lo Celso (pictured above) and Walter Montoya have graduated from Rosario Central's academy to Europe in recent years, and 20-year-old Lioi has been tipped to be the next hot talent off the Canalla's production line. Lioi announced himself this year with a scintillating hat-trick against Olimpo and the striker is set to play a big role for Central in 2018.

The talents of future Real Madrid striker Vinicius Junior are already well known, but there is another teenage striker in the Flamengo ranks that is also attracting admirers from Europe. Lincoln, 17, might even end up facing off against his current team-mate in the Madrid derby: Atletico made an approach for him in January, but refused to meet Fla's asking price of €15 million.

Inter's combative midfield rock played a pivotal role in returning the Porto Alegre side to Serie A last season, after suffering an historic relegation in 2016. At just 23, Dourado has been tipped for great things, and has attracted interest from the likes of Manchester United in the past.

Another member of the Brazilian 'golden generation' that came of age with Olympic Games victory in Rio. While the likes of Neymar and Gabi Jesus took the plaudits in that competition, Rodrigo's determined defending meant the Selecao stayed watertight at the back and, at 24, he is already nearing 200 appearances at Sao Paulo.

The Argentina national team has suffered a dearth of talent at full-back since the likes of Juan Pablo Sorin and Javier Zanetti hung up their boots. Independiente talent Bustos, however, is a serious tip for the future, and has already been included in the Seleccion set-up under Jorge Sampaoli. At just 21, the defender has all the time in the world to hone his craft, and has the perfect opportunity to do so in 2018 with Independiente disputing the Libertadores as Copa Sudamericana champions.

The latest young striker keen to follow in the footsteps of Pele, Robinho and Neymar and jump from Santos to stardom. Vitor hit a respectable 13 goals in his breakout season last year, form that led Ligue 1 side Lille to make an offer that was rejected by the Peixe in January.

The world was introduced to Gremio's delicate midfield genius after his superlative display to down Lanus in the 2017 Copa Libertadores final. A move to Barcelona was expected to follow, and Arthur even posed in a Blaugrana shirt, although the acquisition of Philippe Coutinho appeared to push him back down the club's list of transfer priorities. Sooner or later, however, you can expect to see the 21-year-old prospect strutting his stuff at Camp Nou.