TBR Football can exclusively confirm that Liverpool are up against Manchester City and Chelsea for South American Under-20 Championship duo Agustin Ruberto and Ian Subiabre.
Although the transfer window has shut, the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea are always on the lookout for exciting talents for the future.
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and hosts Venezuela are all in action at the South American U20 Championship.
And though Man City and Chelsea lead the chase for the Argentine duo, there are plenty more Premier League clubs scouting out the talent at the tournament.
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Liverpool up against Manchester City and Chelsea for Agustin Ruberto and Ian Subiabre
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Man City and Chelsea are battling it out, and leading the chase, for Argentina’s young stars currently playing at the South American Under-20 Championship.
TBR Football understands that more than a dozen Premier League clubs are represented in Venezuela as they take in the youth tournament – which is being dominated by Argentina and Colombia.
Man City already have their star man signed up after landing Claudio Echeverri from River Plate last summer, though his participation in this tournament means he is yet to meet up with his new teammates.
When City landed Echeverri, they also held talks with River over his teammates Agustin Ruberto and Ian Subiabre – who like Echeverri are starring in Venezuela.
City are keen on both striker Ruberto, 19, and winger Subiabre, 18, and City Group are hoping to tee up deals for both – however, the interest in both is growing.
Both were on target in Argentina’s recent 2-1 win over Chile on Monday, whilst they were also on the scoresheet in the 6-0 hammering of Brazil late last month.
TBR Football can reveal that Chelsea/BlueCo – who have as good a connection in South America as any club – are doing their work on both players.
However, we can also reveal that Liverpool and Newcastle are also amongst a raft of clubs doing their work on the pair.
Aside from Echeverri, Ruberto and Subiabre – it is also believed that midfielder Valentino Acuna and defenders Tobias Ramirez and Juan Gimenez are impressing.
We are also told that Brighton, Bournemouth, Wolves, Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Aston Villa are also represented in Venezuela.
Agustin Ruberto and Ian Subiabre factfile
Ruberto has come through the ranks at River Plate, who boast one of the best academies in South America.
The 19-year-old has already made 17 competitive appearances for River Plate after quickly outgrowing the second-team setup.
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| CA River Plate | 17 | 2 | – |
| CA River Plate II | 17 | 13 | 1 |
| Argentina U20 | 9 | 4 | – |
| Argentina U17 | 31 | 24 | 3 |
Ruberto is also flying for Argentina’s Under-20s after registering a staggering 24 goals and three assists from 31 appearances for their Under-17s.
Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig previously said Ruberto has a ‘very complete skillset for a striker of his age and profile’ and likened him to Robert Lewandowski.
Likewise, Subiabre has come through the ranks at River Plate, with four senior appearances to his name along with 30 outings for the second team.
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| CA River Plate | 4 | – | – |
| CA River Plate II | 30 | 7 | 8 |
| Argentina U20 | 4 | 2 | – |
| Argentina U17 | 20 | 3 | 4 |
Kulig described Subiabre as ‘an excellent mix of a winger and advanced playmaker’ and likened him to Bernardo Silva and Pablo Sarabia.