Spurs run the rule over ex-Barca youngster

Harry Redknapp is giving former Barcelona youngster Cristian Ceballos the once over during a trial with the club.

The 16-year-old rose to prominence when a video of him performing tricks with Ronaldihno in 2008 went viral, and was tipped for big things with the Catalan club.

However concerns remained about his small stature and he was released from their famous youth academy, La Masia.

Ceballos, who favours Nike football boots, then went on to audition with Chelsea after earning a trial at the west London club, but turned down an offer of a reserve contract as he searched out a place to play regular first team football.

Now Redknapp is said to be impressed by the ability of the youngster, and press speculation began to grow that the Spaniard had signed a three year contract with the club.

Concerns about his size and his desire to play first team football mean that is unlikely to be true, but a deal remains of the table after Ceballos displayed all the talent and skill associated with a member of the Barcelona youth system.

Spurs are said to believe he is one for the future and could break into the first team within 12 months – however the fact that Barca, a team known for their players with low centres of gravity, were willing to release a player because of his size will worry Redknapp and he will be keen to see some quick development before committing to a long term deal.

Having been marked out as the most talented of his age group at Barca, Spurs would do well to convince him to commit his long term future to White Hart Lane.

A second striker/winger by nature, Ceballos is an attacking midfielder in the mould of Lionel Messi, but he will have to improve his physical presence if he is to excel in the Premier League in the future.

Chelsea are still rumoured to be interested which means Spurs would have to act quick, and if they are able to secure his services and improve is physicality they could have a real gem for the future on their hands.