The Portuguese Ibrahimovic Chelsea and Barcelona are set to do battle over

With their crunch-tie with Denmark on the horizon, the biggest concerns over Portugal's Euro 2012 hopes surround their lack of a prolific striker. With Cristiano Ronaldo playing out wide, Hugo Almeida and Helder Postiga are Portugal's two main options in the middle, but neither player is considered top class. It could be time for Benfica wonder-kid Nelson Oliveira to try his hand at the striker's role, and with Chelsea and Barcelona watching closely, talkSPORT's transfer spotlight has the low-down on the highly-rated youngster...

Name: Nelson Oliveira
Date of birth: 8 August 1991
Birthplace: Barcelos, Portugal
Position: Striker
Club: Benfica
International appearances: 4
Honours: Portuguese League Cup (2011-12), Fifa U-20 World Cup Silver Ball (2011)

What's the latest?
A year ago Nelson Oliveira was just another young prospect in the Portuguese league, but that all changed during Benfica's Champions League knockout clash with Zenit Saint Petersburg in the 2011/12 season. In the second leg of the tie, Benfica managed to score an early goal to keep them in front on away goals, but the Portuguese team failed to build on their lead. Finally, in the dying minutes, substitute Oliveira latched onto a Bruno Cesar pass and killed the game with a cool finish as Benfica progressed to the last eight with a 4-3 aggregate win. Oliveira's stock has been rising ever since, and Barcelona and Chelsea are both hoping to snap him up before someone else notices.

Did you know?

1) Oliveira learned his trade at Sporting Braga, but he eventually opted to finish his football education at Benfica. Former Atletico Madrid and Valencia manager Quique Sanchez Florez gave him his Benfica first-team debut at the tender age of 16 in 2008.

2) The youngster was loaned out to FC Pacos de Ferreira in 2010 and instantly made an impact, scoring on his debut to give the side a draw against CS Maritimo.

3) Oliveira's standout performances for Portugal helped his nation to the final of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 2011, and the forward's four goals earned him the Silver Ball.

4) The Benfica youngster's 6'1'' frame combined with his pace and technical brilliance have earned him comparisons with his idol, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

5) During training before Portugal's clash with Denmark, Oliveira was the striker with the most success in front of goal, scoring four times. This followed a good showing as a substitute against Germany, putting the youngster in pole position to play against the Danes.

They say
“He's got different characteristics from the other strikers. We believe in him.”
Portugal coach Paulo Bento

Video evidence

Should Chelsea snap up Oliveira if he performs well at Euro 2012, or is he too young? Keep it talkSPORT for Denmark v Portugal - 1089/1053AM from 5pm or click here to listen live