Liverpool target Nuno Mendes once armed himself with a knife because he thought Sporting Lisbon's scout was coming to rob him, but now the kid compared to Ronaldinho could be a steal himself as contract talks stall

Sporting Lisbon have always had an eye for talent and once again their current crop are garnering plenty of attention - but perhaps none more so than 18-year-old left back Nuno Mendes.

The teenager has already become a regular within Sporting's first team and his displays have led to interest from the Premier League, with Liverpool keen and Leicester and Newcastle also linked with a move.

And Liverpool have since been put on red alert with Mendes having delayed signing a new deal with Sporting due to fears the reigning Premier League champions would back out of a move if his release clause rises above £40million - according to A Bola.