Inter ready to move for winger Juan Fernando Quintero?

Per a report today at TransferMarketWeb.com, Inter are tracking 20-year-old Colombian youth international winger Juan Fernando Quintero. The Delfino Pescara 1936 footballer joined the Serie A side in 2012.

Video via Tempesta Perfetta YouTube Channel.

Columbia 4 Guatemala 1 on 6 February 2013 video highlights

Via GolChannelHD YouTube Channel.

International Friendly 6 February 2013 Colombia versus Australia

[Editor's note (28 January 2013):] The below match no longer is taking place as Colombia will now face off against Guatemala and Australia will play Romania. For previews of several of tomorrow's matches check out our selection here; thank you.

Also, for a list of tomorrow's matches, view the full schedule at ESPN FC. [End of note.]

When: 6 February 2013

Who: Colombia (Ranked 5th*) vs. Australia (Ranked 36th*)
*FIFA rankings as of December 19, 2012

Where: Bogota, Colombia

+ Los Cafeteros finished 2011 in 36th but climbed up the ladder to 5th due to six impressive wins during the year coupled with only one draw and one defeat. (Link via FIFA.com)

+ Superstar Radamel Falcao continues to receive daily transfer rumour posts throughout the Internet as a host of English clubs are linked to the Atlético Madrid forward. Will he be in England with Chelsea, Manchester City or another club when this friendly sets off?

+ Australia would be best served to continue to run out the youth as 20-year-old Eli Babalj, 19-year-old Terry Antonis and 19-year-old Adam Taggart have all recently impressed in attacking roles at the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup.

Manchester City talent searching in South America

Manchester City's Txiki Begiristain, keenly aware of the club's South American stars, traveled to the continent to seek out the next wave of prospects.

A recent report in the Sunday Mirror noted the Premier League champions wasting no time in undertaking a scouting mission to South America now that Begiristain is in charge.

The club is determined to recruit players and develop them into first-team stalwarts versus the current model that finds Manchester City seeking in-form twenty-somethings who command top dollar.

With the likes of Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zableta on the squad, the groundwork now exists to utilize these big names to attract the continent's top young talent thus ensuring financial savings in the tens of millions.

City's current Academy and Elite Development Squad contains few South Americans, but City insiders believe an influx of Argentine and Brazilian prospects at the Academy is paramount to future success. The Academy, slated to become on of the world's finest, opens its doors in 2014.

The transfer rumour mill has followed City's director of football to South America proclaiming a host of likely targets ready to make the move to the Etihad Stadium.

In addition to the teenage-prospect chatter, City is believed to be targeting several in-form South American twenty-somethings including 20-year-old Argentine Ezequiel Cirigliano via tribalfootball.com and 24-year-old Brazilian Paulinho also via tribalfootball.com.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari wants more competitive friendlies

New Brazil national team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari noted recently that the CBF, Brazil's football confederation, needs to take a critical look at future friendly matches. Tougher, mentally challenging contests against the world's best are needed as the South American squad preps to host the 2014 World Cup.

"I am going to request that, where possible, we play against the toughest opposition possible," Scolari said.

Brazil's last six opponents include: Sweden, South Africa, China, Columbia, Iraq and Japan. Only Columbia could be considered an upper echelon FIFA member.

Upcoming matches with England (February 2013) and France (June 2013) coupled with the Confederations Cup in June will boost the level of play.