The Daily Brief — August 13, 2026
20 players to watch today — South American steals, Sporting's next golden generation, Scandinavian hidden gems, and the Salah sell signal.
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🔥 Top Steals
Five players the model says are dramatically undervalued. All five carry deal scores of 84-86, the highest in today’s database.
Guilherme Madruga — CM, 25, Shandong Luneng (Chinese Super League)
OVR75
UV Score99
Market Value€490K – €800K
Contract2026 (4 months)
Deal Score84
The single highest OVR on the steals list at 75, and the model rates him at 99/99 undervaluation. A Brazilian central midfielder with top-flight experience in Série A (26 appearances for Cuiabá) who moved to Shandong Luneng in China. His scouting report notes limited minutes (105 across 26 apps in 2024), but the underlying profile — 188cm, 83kg, right-footed, 75 OVR — in a league where transfer fees are typically depressed creates a massive gap between actual quality and market price. At under €800K with 4 months left on his contract, Shandong may accept a nominal fee. A Scandinavian or Eastern European side could land a starting-quality CM for the price of a youth trial.
F. Coirolo — GK, 24, Atenas (Uruguayan Primera División)
OVR74
UV Score98
Market Value€310K – €510K
Contract2026 (4 months)
Deal Score86
A 74 OVR goalkeeper for under €510K is absurd value. Goalkeepers peak later than outfield players, and at 24, Coirolo has 6-8 years of prime ahead. The Uruguayan Primera División has produced quality keepers who succeeded in Europe — Fernando Muslera, Sergio Rochet, Sebastián Sosa all came through this system. With 4 months on his contract and Atenas unlikely to demand a significant fee, this is a low-cost addition for any club needing GK depth with legitimate starter upside. The 98 UV score confirms the model sees starting-quality output at backup pricing.
Bruno Ignacio Jáuregui Sáez — CM, 21, Union Espanola (Chilean Primera División)
OVR70
UV Score99
Market Value€970K – €1.6M
Contract2026 (4 months)
Deal Score86
21 years old, 99 UV score, playing regularly in Chile's top division. The Chilean league has been a consistent feeder to Europe — think Erick Pulgar, Charles Aránguiz, Gary Medel. Jáuregui is at the perfect age for a European move: old enough to have professional experience, young enough to have resale value. Union Española's willingness to sell plus the expiring contract creates leverage for any buying club. At €1M with high data confidence, this is one of the safest bets on the board today. A mid-table Belgian, Dutch, or Portuguese side should be all over this.
Filozofe Mabete — CB, 20, Swindon Town (League Two)
OVR70
UV Score99
Market Value€290K – €470K
Contract2027 (10 months)
Deal Score84
A 20-year-old English centre-back with a 99 UV score in League Two. The English lower leagues are heavily scouted but Mabete's profile stands out — 70 OVR at 20 in a physical league means he's ready for a jump to League One or the Championship immediately. English nationality also means no work permit issues for any European club. At under €470K, Swindon would likely accept a modest bid given the player's trajectory and their financial realities. High data confidence means the model trusts its read here. This is the kind of player who ends up at a Championship club for €500K and gets sold for €5M two years later.
R. Malanca — CB, 22, Huachipato (Chilean Primera División)
OVR71
UV Score98
Market Value€920K – €1.5M
Contract2026 (4 months)
Deal Score86
Argentine centre-back playing in Chile at 22 with a 98 UV score and high data confidence. Huachipato is a selling club — they develop and move players consistently. With 4 months left on his contract, Malanca holds virtually all the leverage. An Argentine defender in a neighboring league is a classic stepping-stone profile: comfortable culturally, no language barrier, and the Chilean league is respected enough that European sporting directors take its data seriously. At €1M ceiling with expiring contract, the actual transfer fee could be half that.
⏰ Expiring Watch
Contracts ending in 6-12 months. Today features something extraordinary: one of the best players in the world is 10 months from free agency.
Geovany Tcherno Quenda — CM, 18, Sporting CP (Liga Portugal)
OVR84
UV Score45
Market Value€38.0M – €46.0M
Contract2027 (10 months)
Deal Score72
**The most fascinating expiring contract in world football right now.** An 18-year-old with an 84 OVR at Sporting CP — the same club that developed Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and more recently, the sale of Gyökeres for €70M+. Quenda is already a starter-level player in a top-7 European league at 18. If Sporting cannot lock him down to an extension, every major club in Europe will be circling for a pre-contract in January 2027. Sporting's business model depends on selling academy products at premium prices — losing one for free would be a significant failure. Expect urgent extension talks, but until pen meets paper, this is a ticking clock.
Vinícius Júnior — ST, 25, Real Madrid (La Liga)
OVR93
UV Score18
Market Value€126M – €154M
Contract2027 (10 months)
Deal Score63
Let's be clear: Vinícius will probably extend with Real Madrid. But the fact that a 93 OVR player entering his prime at 25 is 10 months from free agency is remarkable market intelligence. If Real Madrid doesn't secure an extension by January 2027, Vinícius can sign a pre-contract with any club — and the savings on a transfer fee (€130M+) would fund an entire squad overhaul. The low UV score (18) simply means he's correctly valued, not undervalued. This is purely about contract leverage. **Watch this space.**
Gabriel Martinelli — LW, 24, Arsenal (Premier League)
OVR85
UV Score29
Market Value€40.5M – €49.5M
Contract2027 (10 months)
Deal Score68
Martinelli at 24 with an 85 OVR should be entering his most valuable years. Arsenal have been proactive about extensions, but with 10 months remaining and no confirmed new deal, the leverage shifts toward the player. A 85 OVR left winger with Premier League and Champions League experience walking into a pre-contract window is a scenario that will attract interest from every elite club. Arsenal need to get this sorted before January.
António Silva — CB, 22, Benfica (Liga Portugal)
OVR81
UV Score43
Market Value€22.5M – €27.5M
Contract2027 (10 months)
Deal Score68
A 22-year-old Portuguese international centre-back at Benfica with 81 OVR. Benfica's famous release clauses (typically €100M) become irrelevant when the contract is expiring. If António Silva reaches January 2027 without an extension, he can negotiate a free transfer with any club — and a starting-quality CB worth €25M+ for zero transfer fee is one of the best deals in football. Benfica are under pressure to either extend him now or sell this summer.
📈 Rising Stars
Young players whose stock is climbing rapidly. These are the names you’ll see in transfer headlines 12 months from now.
S. Girado — ST, 21, Orsomarso (Liga Pro, Colombia)
OVR76
UV Score99
Market Value€1.7M – €2.8M
ContractUnknown
Deal Score69
A 76 OVR striker at 21 in Colombia for under €3M is the definition of a rising star. The Colombian league has produced an extraordinary number of elite strikers — Radamel Falcao, Luis Díaz, Jhon Córdoba, Rafael Santos Borré. Girado's OVR is already 6 points above the steals average, and at 21, the trajectory is steep. Orsomarso is not a club with bargaining power. If Girado continues developing, he's a €10-15M player within 18 months. Buy now, profit later. The 99 UV score with high data confidence makes this one of the most compelling prospects on the planet today.
A. Besio — ST, 21, Verl (3. Liga, Germany)
OVR77
UV Score99
Market Value€2.1M – €3.4M
Contract2026
Deal Score65
The highest OVR among all rising stars: 77 at 21 years old. A Swiss striker in Germany's 3. Liga — a league that has produced Robert Andrich, Deniz Undav, and Tim Kleindienst in recent years. Besio's OVR of 77 would already make him competitive in the 2. Bundesliga, and the 99 UV score suggests he's ready for a bigger stage right now. Swiss nationality means no work permit barriers across Europe. At €2-3M with an expiring contract, this is a low-risk, high-reward acquisition for any ambitious 2. Bundesliga or mid-table Eredivisie side.
Kavian Rahmani — ST, 19, Melbourne City (A-League Men)
OVR71
UV Score99
Market Value€470K – €760K
Contract2027 (10 months)
Deal Score84
19 years old, striker, 71 OVR, UV 99, valued under €800K. The A-League has become a legitimate pathway to Europe — Craig Goodwin, Marco Tilio, Nestory Irankunda all made the jump. Rahmani is younger than all of them were when they moved. At 178cm and 70kg, he's a mobile forward suited to modern pressing systems. Right-footed, high data confidence, and Melbourne City (part of the City Football Group) have infrastructure to develop and place players. If CFG rates him, they can route him to Girona, Troyes, or Palermo. At €760K ceiling, the risk is essentially zero.
J. Talvitie — CM, 20, NAC Breda (Eredivisie)
OVR71
UV Score99
Market Value€4.7M – €7.7M
Contract2026
Deal Score68
A Finnish playmaker in the Eredivisie at 20. The Dutch league is the world's best development environment for attacking midfielders, and NAC Breda's history of producing technical players is well documented. Talvitie's market value (€4.7-7.7M) is higher than others on this list because he's already proven in a respected European league. The contract situation (appears to have expired, -2 months) means he could be available on a free. A Finnish CM with Eredivisie experience and a 99 UV score is a legitimate target for any club in Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, or even a lower-half Serie A side.
🌍 Hidden Gems
Four players from under-scouted leagues. The model flags them as significantly undervalued, but nobody is talking about them.
Víctor Rofino — CB, 23, União de Leiria (Liga Portugal 2)
OVR75
UV Score94
Market Value€730K – €1.2M
Contract2027 (10 months)
Deal Score79
**The hidden gem of the day.** A 75 OVR Spanish centre-back in Portugal's second tier with a 94 UV score. União de Leiria is a small club, but Liga Portugal 2 is a competitive environment that has produced numerous La Liga and Primeira Liga starters. Spanish defenders abroad are rare and valuable — they bring tactical sophistication from La Liga's youth systems. At 23, Rofino is entering his prime years, and his OVR (75) would make him an immediate starter in most Scandinavian, Eastern European, or even Championship sides. At under €1.2M, this is a theft. The low data confidence means fewer scouts have seen him — which is exactly why he's still available.
N. Strunck — CM, 26, Bryne (Eliteserien)
OVR73
UV Score84
Market Value€1.4M – €2.3M
Contract2026 (4 months)
Deal Score79
Danish central midfielder at Bryne in Norway's Eliteserien. Nobody outside of Norway and Denmark knows this name. The Eliteserien is a selling league — Bodø/Glimt, Molde, and RBK have made fortunes moving players to Europe's top 5 leagues. Bryne is a smaller club (Erling Haaland's youth club, interestingly), which means they'll sell at reasonable prices. Strunck's 73 OVR and 84 UV in a league that routinely exports to the Eredivisie, Belgian Pro League, and Bundesliga makes him a prime candidate for a 3-5x return on investment. At 26 with an expiring contract, he could be available for under €1M.
P. Edokpolor — ST, 18, Benfica B (Liga Portugal 2)
OVR66
UV Score79
Market Value€600K – €980K
Contract2026 (4 months)
Deal Score81
An 18-year-old striker in Benfica's B team setup. Let that sink in. Benfica's academy is one of the most productive in world football — João Félix, Rúben Dias, Bernardo Silva, João Cancelo all came through there. Edokpolor is at the same facility, coached by the same system, playing in a professional league at 18. The OVR is low (66), but he's young enough that rapid improvement is expected. The 79 UV score with high data confidence and a deal score of 81 makes him one of the most intriguing long-term prospects on the board. If Benfica doesn't lock him down, another smart club can poach a Benfica-developed striker for under €1M.
B. Brantlind — CM, 17, IFK Göteborg (Allsvenskan)
OVR68
UV Score73
Market Value€1.5M – €2.4M
Contract2026 (4 months)
Deal Score81
17 years old. A 68 OVR at 17 in the Allsvenskan is exceptionally rare. IFK Göteborg is Sweden's most historic club and has produced Alexander Isak (sold to Real Sociedad for €6M, then Newcastle for €70M), among others. Brantlind is getting professional minutes at an age where most players are in youth academies. The 73 UV score is lower than others on this list, but that's because the model is conservative with teenagers — the deal score of 81 still places him in the top tier. With 4 months on his contract, a club could sign him now and develop him in-house. This is a player who could be worth €10M+ by age 20.
⚠️ Sell Signals
Three players whose value is declining or plateauing. If you’re an agent, these are your “sell now” recommendations.
Mohamed Salah — RW, 33, Liverpool (Premier League)
OVR80
UV Score11
Market Value€20.0M – €24.0M
Contract2027 (10 months)
Deal Score52
The lowest UV score in today's entire sell signal list: 11 out of 100. At 33, Salah's OVR has dropped from his peak and the model sees zero undervaluation — the market has him priced correctly or even generously. Liverpool have been careful about extending players in their 30s, and with 10 months left on his contract, this is the moment of maximum leverage for both sides. From an asset management perspective, Liverpool should have sold last summer. Now they face the real possibility of Salah leaving for free in 2027. The Saudi Pro League interest remains, but the fees being discussed have dropped significantly from the €100M+ figures of 2024.
Bruno Fernandes — CAM, 31, Manchester United (Premier League)
OVR83
UV Score16
Market Value€31.5M – €38.5M
Contract2027 (10 months)
Deal Score54
At 31, Bruno Fernandes is the lowest deal score (54) on the expiring list. The UV of 16 means the model considers him fairly valued at €31-38M — no hidden upside. Manchester United are in a transition period, and Fernandes has been their most productive player for 4 consecutive seasons. But age curves are unforgiving for attacking midfielders who rely on intensity. By the time his next contract ends, he'll be 33-34. If United can extend him now at current wages, fine. But if the financial demands increase, selling now (while he still has 10 months of contract and significant market value) might be the prudent move. The market for 31-year-old No. 10s is shrinking as clubs pivot to younger profiles.
L. Trossard — LW, 31, Arsenal (Premier League)
OVR78
UV Score16
Market Value€16.0M – €20.0M
Contract2027 (10 months)
Deal Score53
Trossard has been a valuable squad player for Arsenal, but the numbers tell a clear story: 78 OVR at 31 with a UV score of 16. He's fairly valued at €16-20M, and that value will only decline from here. Arsenal's recruitment has shifted toward younger, higher-upside wingers (see their interest in various Brazilian and Spanish talents), and Trossard's role is shrinking. With 10 months left on his contract, this is likely the last window where Arsenal can command a fee. A move to a mid-table Premier League club or a return to Belgium could make sense for all parties. Sell signal: clear.
📊 Today’s Market Snapshot
- 11,197 players tracked across the skouted.ai database
- Date: August 13, 2026
- Top deal score: 86 (shared by 7 players — Mateo Cantera Marsiglia, R. Malanca, Bruno Jáuregui, L. Verza, F. Wiechniak, F. Coirolo, J. Guerra Travieso)
- Top UV score: 99 (multiple players across South America and Europe)
- Hottest league: Chilean Primera División (2 steals, 1 rising star) and Uruguayan Primera (3 steals)
- League to watch: Liga Portugal 2 (2 hidden gems — Víctor Rofino and P. Edokpolor)
- Biggest expiring situation: Geovany Tcherno Quenda (18, Sporting CP, 84 OVR, 10 months left)
- Sell signal of the day: Mohamed Salah (UV 11, lowest in the sell signal category)
Tomorrow’s briefing will feature updated deal scores, new contract data, and fresh rising/falling players. Visit skouted.ai for the full database.