Hibs are leading the chase for Portuguese speed merchant Jair Tavares.
The Benfica B winger is high up Lee Johnson ’s target list as he looks to add pace and creativity in the final third.
Tavares, who has two years left on his contract in Lisbon, has still to break through into the Premeira Liga giants’ first team.
But the 21-year-old - cousin of Lille star Renato Sanches - has made his mark for Benfica’s second string as well as across the Portugal youth teams at international level.
The left winger has seven caps and one goal at U19 level but has scored at U18, U17 and U16 sides too. Last season saw him net four times in 25 appearances in the Portuguese second tier.
That form has attracted interest from across Europe and Dutch side Go Ahead Eages are also reported to be interested in prising him away from his boyhood club.
But Hibs are understood to be in the driving seat with Johnson taking his squad to Portugal for a pre-season training camp in two weeks’ time.
They will face friendlies against Paul Hartley 's Hartlepool United and Burton Albion at their base in the Algarve’s Amendoeira Golf Resort.
Johnson had been interested in Portsmouth winger Ronan Curtis but has decided against a move for the £500,000-rated Ireland international.
Aiden McGeady is still a target though with the veteran a free agent having left Sunderland, where he worked with Johnson, at the end of the season.
