'The next Chicharito' - why Real Madrid and Barcelona are fighting it out for Carlos Fierro

The Guadalajara forward starred in Mexico's Under-17

World Cup win earlier this summer and has caught the

attention of Spain's big two, as well as both Tottenham

and Arsenal.

Carlos Fierro's rapid ascent to stardom could not have been possible without the splendid summer that he has enjoyed along with the rest of Mexico's star-studded Under-17 World Cup-winning roster.

While originally billed in Mexico as a Jared Borgetti-type striker - lanky, powerful and most likely to add to his goalscoring tally via his aerial ability, Fierro showed the world that his speed, instinct and finishing qualities were second to none in the recent youth championship on home soil.

The youngster's understanding with fellow Chivas product Giovani Casillas, who was also close to signing with Real Madrid in 2009, is unique. The wide man Casillas can easily exchange positions with Fierro on the pitch to provide a confusing yet lethal combination for opposing defenders.

With four goals in Mexico's seven-game road to the championship, Fierro raised eyebrows from the beginning, attracting reported interest from teams such as Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham. His speed, skill set, tactical flexibility and killer instinct made him hot property over the summer.

The Bronze Ball winner was then linked to Barcelona, a development confirmed exclusively to Goal.com by Fierro's agent, Marc Salicru.

Age: 17 Contract: Will sign at 18 Intl caps (U-17): 7 (4 goals) Position: Striker Value: 3m euros 10-11 apps: Yet to make official debut

"They love Carlos Fierro over at Barcelona," Salicru said. "It's incredible. Barcelona has 30 kids in its youth system that could start for the senior team today, and the fact that they want Carlos speaks highly of him."

Talks have continued with the Camp Nou outfit for several weeks, but ironically it was Fierro's performance against Pep Guardiola's team that inspired a bit of competition from Spain's other giant, Real Madrid.

Now, a bidding war for the 17-year-old's services is expected, with Fierro's likely destination hinging on Chivas owner Jorge Vergara's willingness to part with the striker.

Since 2005, when Carlos Vela fled for Arsenal after he lifted the U17 World Cup trophy, Vergara has exported the likes of Carlos Salcido, Francisco Rodriguez and, of course, Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez to European clubs. With top sides on the continent surrounding both Fierro and current Chivas starter Erick Torres, it is unlikely that the chief will be willing to part with both.

"They love Carlos Fierro over at Barcelona. It's incredible. Barcelona have 30 kids in their youth system that could start for the senior team today, and the fact that they want Carlos speaks highly of him."     - Marc Salicru, Carlo Fierro's agent

Fierro's association with the Chivas name has seen him inevitably linked to Hernandez, with several calling him the next Chicharito. While Hernandez and Fierro share certain attributes, like speed and goalscoring instinct, it is the aforementioned tactical flexibility that makes Fierro so attractive on the pitch.

Whereas defenses always know where to find Chicharito on the pitch, Fierro's intelligence and willingness to pop up anywhere in the offensive quadrant make him incomparable to Hernandez, Borgetti, Torres or any other striker that Mexican soccer has ever produced.

It may still be a long way away, but with Hernandez blossoming, Giovani dos Santos shining, Chivas' team-mate Marco Fabian coming through in midfield and Fierro in the mix as well, Mexico's potential frontline for the 2014 World Cup looks a frightening prospect.

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/114/mexico/2011/08/06/2607316/the-next-chicharito-why-real-madrid-and-barcelona-are