Last weekend, Italian paper 'Tuttosport' reported that Juventus were leading the chase for the young Argentine forward and were preparing a bid to sign him in the summer.

However, since then a number of other clubs have been pulled into the picture, including Fiorentina, Werder Breman, Porto and now Espanyol, who are though to be eyeing up Piatti as a possible long-term replacement for Raul Tamudo.

Tamudo has suffered from various injury problems in recent years and the feeling at the Montjuïc is that they need to plan for the present as well as the future if they are not to be left short in attack.

With such distinguished names ready to battle it out for Piatti's signature, it seems unlikely that Espanyol will win the race, but it will be an encouraging sign for their supporters as to the ambition of the club.

Piatti, 18, was the youngest member of the Argentina squad that won the U-20 World Cup in Canada last summer and has become a vital part of the Estudiantes team since scoring on his debut in November 2006.

As a small (1.63m), skillful, left-footed player, he has already been burdeoned with the 'next Maradona' tag, but unlike many who are unfairly touted as such, Piatti looks truly capable of becoming a world-class player in the coming years.

Superb player, got a great future ahead of him, deserves a big money move to Europe.