BRENTFORD have made contact with Braga over Portuguese wonderkid Francisco Moura.
The versatile left-back, 22, was on course to sign for Barcelona before suffering a cruciate ligament injury last November that saw him miss the majority of the season.
But SunSport understands the Bees are now ready to swoop in and snatch Moura in the January window for a bargain price.
Moura currently has a £25m release clause at Braga – and a contract until 2026 – but the west London side are confident they can bring him to the Premier League for less.
Brentford officials were in Portugal on Sunday to watch Moura feature in Braga’s 1-0 defeat to FC Porto – and will stay until Thursday to see him in action again at Boavista in the Allianz Cup.
Although a left-back by trade, Moura can also play as a wing-back or left winger – ideal to manager Thomas Frank’s current 3-5-2 system.
Against Porto, he played as a left wing-back in a 3-4-2-1 formation, and is thriving under former Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvahal.
Moura has made 17 appearances for Braga so far this season in all competitions, including five in the Europa League with one assist to his name.
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He has also represented Portugal at U18, U19 and U20 levels.
Brentford broke their transfer record in the summer with the £13.5m acquisition of Kristoffer Ajer from Celtic.
But the Prem club – who are back in the top flight after 74 years – are likely to break it once more to land the highly-rated Moura.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk