Two Premier League giants in transfer fight for Robinho's 17-year-old son

LIVERPOOL and Chelsea are going head-to-head for teen sensation Robinho Jnr – the 17-year-old son of former Brazil ace Robinho.

The Premier League giants are battling it out behind the scenes as the young forward edges closer to a first-team breakthrough at Santos .

4 Robinho Jnr is following in the footsteps of some of the most iconic players of all time Credit: Getty

4 He is the son of former Real Madrid and Manchester City star Robinho Credit: Getty

4 Reports suggests Neymar, who is back at Santos, has taken a personal interest in him Credit: EPA

The iconic Brazilian club launched the careers of Pele , Rodrygo and Neymar - who has now returned to his boyhoood team.

According to the Daily Mail , Anfield scouts, including long-time talent-spotter Dassler Marques, have been regulars at Santos matches this year, even when Robinho Jnr has started on the bench.

Despite limited minutes, the Reds have been keeping close tabs on the teenager.

The youngster is reportedly being personally mentored by Neymar , after the Al-Hilal superstar returned to Brazil last year to recover from injury.

Wearing his dad’s iconic No7 shirt, Robinho Jnr is being lined up as the next big thing – and both Liverpool and Chelsea are eager to swoop early.

Chelsea’s South American scouting team, led by former Corinthians recruitment chief Alysson Marins, have also been in attendance.

The Blues are keen not to miss out on one of Brazil’s most talked-about prospects.

Chelsea have had massive success in Brazil recently with the signing of Estevao, who has been settling in well in the Premier League.

They want to repeat the trick with Robinho Jr, catch him young and offer the path that was given to Estevao.

Robinho Jnr's rise has not been without complications.

His father, ex-Manchester City star Robinho Snr, is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence in Brazil over a 2013 rape conviction and Santos are understandably cautious about the media spotlight surrounding his son.

His mother now acts as his de facto agent and the player reportedly has a hefty £43million release clause written into his contract – a figure that hasn’t put off interested parties from Europe .

Santos know they’re sitting on a goldmine and with Neymar’s backing and two of England’s biggest clubs circling, Robinho Jnr could be the next Brazilian to take the Premier League by storm.

4 Robinho, with Ronaldinho in 2005, is now serving a nine-year jail sentence for rape Credit: Getty