During Boca Juniors’ negotiations with Juventus over the purchase of Carlos Tevez, president Daniel Angelici had spoke to several clubs regarding the sale of 21-year-old Jonathan Calleri. Rumoured interest from Italy and England eventually seemed to pass with no club matching Boca’s valuation but according to reports, Stoke City are now readying an offer and are prepared to meet the $15 million that would tempt Los Xeniezes to sell.

Since the departure of Dani Osvaldo during the mid-season break, Jonathan Calleri has emerged as Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s first choice ‘number nine’. This faith has been repaid with a series of eye-catching performances, notably with his audacious rabona goal in Carlos Tevez’s first match back in La Bombonera. Tevez remains the main attraction in El Vasco’s side but Calleri done as much as he could do to steal the limelight from the Argentina international.

Six goals this season but notably, three in the four matches since the season resumed have seen Calleri establish himself as one of the league’s leading strikers and had Argentina manager Gerardo Martino speaking very favourably ahead of a possible call-up ahead of the 2016 Olympics.

His recent performances have highlighted his all-round game with a mixture of outrageous skill but some more predatory finishing skills both with head and his feet. The likes of Arsenal and Chelsea have since found themselves linked with a move for the youngster and newspaper reports in Argentina have stated that is Stoke that are trying to push a deal through.

The $15 million that is now mentioned is more than had been touted just a matter of weeks ago when Serie A side Palermo were close and it might prove an amount that Daniel Angelici cannot refuse. Manager, Rodolfo Arruabarrena will not want to see his main striker leave given that the Argentine window is already closed and it would severely weaken his attacking options for the rest of the season, when Boca find themselves in the thick of a title challenge. What maybe favourable is a deal that would see Calleri remain at Boca until the end of the year but it remains to be seen if any club will be willing to pay the price asked and agree to that.

Unfazed by the pressures at Boca and with 18 goals from his 48 appearances, there is far more to the 21-year-old striker than simply a youtube video of his spectacular goal against Quilmes would have many believe. The $15 million price tag may seem like a lot but if Calleri’s development continues then this might turn out to be excellent value.