Liverpool and Arsenal have both been credited with strong interest in Norwegian teenager Eirik Granaas, but Porto appear to have won the race for one of Scandinavia’s most highly-rated young midfielders.
The 16-year-old is already in Portugal to complete the move from Fredrikstad, according to Correio da Manhã. The youngster is set to undergo medical tests before signing his contract with the Portuguese side.
Several Portuguese newspapers have now provided details of the deal. It has become one of Porto’s most eye-catching youth investments in recent years.
Liverpool and Arsenal both tracked youngster
According to O Jogo, Liverpool and Arsenal were among a lengthy list of clubs following Granaas before his decision to head to Portugal.
Chelsea, Newcastle, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Real Madrid were also credited with interest in the midfielder.
Record provide a similar account and add that Club Brugge were actually Porto’s biggest rivals in the race for the teenager. The Belgian side have built a reputation for recruiting promising players before their values explode. They were reportedly pushing hard for Granaas.
A Bola go a step further and state that Liverpool had already watched the midfielder in person. The Premier League side carried out live scouting before Porto secured the agreement.
As we covered earlier this year, Arsenal sent a representative to watch him as well.
Despite that interest, Porto have managed to win the battle for the player’s signature.
Porto moved quickly
A Bola report Porto will pay €1.8m (£1.5m) for 100% of the player’s rights, with a further €1.5m (£1.3m) available in bonuses. In addition, Fredrikstad will also retain a 15% sell-on clause.
Correio da Manhã carry similar figures and explain that Granaas is expected to sign a three-year contract. This is the maximum length permitted by FIFA regulations for a player of his age.
The teenager arrives with an impressive reputation in Norway. Correio da Manhã describe him as one of the country’s biggest prospects and note he made his professional debut for Fredrikstad at just 15 years of age.
This season he has already featured nine times for the Norwegian club’s first team, scoring once.
Granaas is expected to begin with Porto’s B team. However, both Correio da Manhã and A Bola explain there is a clear pathway towards the senior squad.
So Liverpool and Arsenal’s scouting work appears to have identified another highly-rated talent. Only this time Porto have won the race and secured a player regarded as one of the standout prospects emerging from Norwegian football.