Undoubtedly one of the surprise packages in La Liga this season has been the meteoric rise of Villareal striker, Luciano Vietto. Few 21-year-olds can boast 16 goals and 6 assists from a total of 31 appearances in their first season after a switch from South America. Those that can are usually very special and so it is little wonder that a number of other European clubs are casting an eye over the former Racing wonderkid.

When Villarreal paid around $7 million for Vietto it had already been a couple of years since the 17-year-old burst into the Racing first team under manager, Diego Simeone. As Racing deteriorated over that time, Vietto suffered to the point where it was clear he needed to move but also perhaps we had all been a tad hasty in claiming he was the next big thing.

The move to Villarreal has proved inspirational and Vietto has flourished into one of La Liga’s finest strikers. A good finisher with bags of energy who can drop deep and pick the ball up into feet, adeptly linking up play with the midfield and with the skill to beat his marker.

Among the leading scorers in La Liga, Vietto is in esteemed company and when you consider he has scored more than Gareth Bale it is easy to see why he is attracting interest.

Liverpool are an obvious example given that since Luis Suarez left for Barcelona they have lacked options in attack and the purchase of Mario Balotelli appears to have failed. Brendan Rodgers will most likely be in the marker and so rumours have appeared of a £12 million summer move.

Vietto has in turn excited Liverpool and prospective buyers by telling AS: “If these great teams come forward and make an offer we’ll see. The offer would first have to be very good, but it would be very good for me and good for Villarreal.”

Given how successful his first season has been I would have thought the figure would be upwards of £12 million but at 21, Vietto could steal prove to be excellent business.

In the interests of Argentina, Vietto would perhaps be better off staying at Villarreal and developing further. Playing every week for a side in the top six of one of the best leagues in the world is invaluable experience and one which should not be underestimated. Gerardo Martino is sure to have taken a look at Vietto this season and it would be no surprise to see him feature at some point during 2015.