Rennes presidential advisor Mikael Silvestre has once again tipped teenage forward Ousmane Dembele to follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo and become one of the best players in the world.
Dembele, 18, now has nine goals in 17 league matches in his debut season after netting a hat trick in last weekend's 4-1 win over western rivals Nantes.
Barcelona technical secretary Robert Fernandez reportedly watched Dembele in action on Sunday, while kicker said Bayer Leverkusen, Schalke, Arsenal, Leicester City and AC Milan were among the other clubs who had scouts present.
Silvestre has previously compared Dembele to his former Manchester United teammate Ronaldo and says he did so to drive the Rennes youngster on.
"When I was comparing him to Cristiano it was, for me, a way of putting pressure on him in terms of demand," Silvestre told RMC.
"To reach that level, you have to be hard working. He is already -- he can still develop.
"Has he the ability to become a really great player? I say yes without hesitation. But it's the mindset that will make the difference."
Silvestre said he does not regret telling France Football that Dembele reminded him of Ronaldo and that the France under-19 international has the potential to emulate the Real Madrid star by one day winning the Ballon d'Or.
The ex-Arsenal defender said it was not a comment that would put Dembele off his game. The proof, he maintained, could be in seen in how the Rennes academy graduate had continued to shine since making his league debut last November.
"You have to put it in context," Silvestre said. "I compared him to Cristiano Ronaldo at the same age, when he joined Manchester United.
"I could have taken [Nicolas] Anelka at PSG, Thierry Henry or David Trezeguet. Players who, at 20 years old, played the World Cup in France in 1998. Players who were very mature for their age.... I know the player. He has his head on his shoulders."