Manchester United are set to widen their global reach by announcing a new partnership with Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon.
United have already built up a network of alliances throughout the world in an attempt to maximise their scouting resources, although none has been done with a club of Sporting's size.
However, the link with current United assistant boss and former Sporting coach Carlos Quieroz has helped smooth the discussions
The deal is likely to be confirmed in the next few weeks and will be sealed by the Old Trafford outfit travelling to Portugal to play the opening match at Sporting's impressive new home, which will host the final of next summer's European Championships, on August 6th.
Long-term, United will hope to use the link to tap into the Brazilian market, in much the same way as their tie-up with Belgian side Royal Antwerp has allowed them to monitor the progress of African players because of the country's different work permit legislation.
In practice, Antwerp has been used as a finishing school by the Red Devils, with players such as Luke Chadwick and John O'Shea spending time with the club to gain valuable experience in a competitive league environment.
There could also be an immediate spin-off from their latest venture though, with highly-rated teenage duo Ricardo Quaresma and Cristiano Ronaldo both in line for a move to Old Trafford should Sir Alex Ferguson pursue his initial interest.
Speculation linking Quaresma in particular with a switch has been rife.
The 18-year-old winger is rated in the Stg£12million bracket by his club, although United would not have to pay anything like that amount to secure his services, and today's revelations mean the Premiership champions would get first refusal if he were to leave, dashing Juventus' hopes of landing the player.
Also on the cards, but slightly further away from completion, is another deal with French club Nantes, which would fill another sizeable hole in United's expanding empire.