An abundantly talented youngster arrives in Portugal from South America. He is taught to be tactically aware, his physique is bolstered and his technical skills honed. A raw and promising youth player turns into a hot property, is sold to one of Europe's biggest clubs, expresses his eternal gratitude and departs uttering unrealistic promises that one day he will return.
This is the story of so many young footballers who have crossed the Atlantic seeking fame and fortune over the past decade, and it could now be the story of Anderson Talisca. Apart from that last bit that is. Instead of swearing undying love to Benfica, the beanpole Brazilian will likely be glad to see the back of the club that gave him his first chance in Europe. But more on that later.
Here are five things to know about the midfielder reportedly at the heart of a tug-of-war between Manchester City and Manchester United.
1. Sensational start to his Benfica career
The attacking midfielder signed for Benfica in the summer of 2014 and it did not take him long to make his mark, scoring eight goals in the first ten games of the season to shoot to the top of the Primeira Liga scoring charts. As well as the goals, a big physical presence and the ability to pick a pass added to the sensation that Benfica had picked up a gem of a player. He was only 20 years old at the time but few people disagreed when his manager Jorge Jesus said: "He's going to be another player who will make millions for Benfica."
2.) Dreamy left foot
There are fewer better strikers of the ball in world football. From open play or from dead-ball situations, Talisca is deadly if afforded space to take aim 20-30 yards from goal. So accurate, precise and lethal is his delivery from direct free kicks that some Portuguese commentators joked when Talisca was on the pitch and Benfica were awarded a foul to the right of and in the vicinity of the 18-yard box "it's like a penalty a bit further out."
3.) Mourinho has tracked him for years
Talisca was famously at the root of a trademark Jose Mourinho spat with one of his fellow coaches. When Mourinho, in his second spell at Chelsea, was asked about Talisca's fabulous start at Benfica, he claimed he knew all about him and only had not made a move for the Brazilian because of the more stringent work permit issues in England when compared to Portugal.
Benfica coach Jorge Jesus refuted this recollection of events by saying: "They knew as much about him as I know about D'Artagnan and the Three Musketeers." Mourinho, as is his wont, insisted on having the last word, belittling Jesus' educational and cultural shortcomings and saying he was above reading Alexandre Dumas. Talisca's smart response to the squabble was simply: "I'm happy such important coaches are talking about me."
4.) Decline, followed by Turkish salvation
Talisca's spectacular start at Benfica proved a false dawn, as instead of consolidating his newfound fame and stature in European football, he gradually drifted down the pecking order at the Lisbon club. His physicality and good passing range led to both Jesus and his successor at Benfica, Rui Vitoria, pushing him deeper, which had the effect of diminishing arguably his biggest asset -- his goal-scoring threat. With central midfielders Pizzi and Fejsa excelling, Talisca struggled to influence games and Vitoria increasingly overlooked him, preferring to select homegrown players from Benfica's academy. The Brazilian's wiggle room was further eroded by the explosive emergence of Renato Sanches.
It was not a surprise when he was loaned to Besiktas at the start of last season, where he has well and truly refound his mojo, scoring 17 goals in 33 games to help the Istanbul outfit to the Turkish title. Such has been the Brazilian's impact, teammate Ricardo Quaresma commented: "He's an out-of-the-ordinary player and one day he'll be playing for the best teams in the world, just wait and see."
5.) A question of respect
Talisca left Benfica on bad terms, claiming that once the club had decided he would be ditched they fell behind on his wages. "I was disrespected at Benfica. Six days after my daughter was born everybody had been paid apart from me. Benfica's people said I left for money but that's a lie."
It would therefore have been a sweet sensation for Talisca when he returned to the Portuguese capital for a Champions League clash in December and curled in a magnificent trademark free kick late on to snatch a draw for Besiktas. His effusive celebrations suggested as much, and drew the wrath of his former teammates, on the pitch and afterwards. Even the normally placid Eduardo "Toto" Salvio was moved to say: "I didn't like that celebration. A few weeks ago he was training with us and he showed a lack of respect."