This week’s Special Report utilizes the enormous amounts of data on the IMScouting system to discover the most expensive players currently playing in Brazil.

This is defined by the IMScouting football expert based in the land of Samba football and is pinpointed as “estimated market value.” (Only players that are currently in Brazil’s Serie A feature in this list.)

The South American country exports the most amount of footballers compared to any other country in the world and no football fan needs any introduction to many of the big name Brazilian stars plying their trade in Europe.

Clearly coming out on top is Sao Paolo’s 23-year-old box-to-box midfielder Hernanes. According to the IMScouting database Hernanes is worth €15,000K and this is the minimum fee that clubs such as AC Milan and Juventus (two clubs who have been linked with the player) will have to pay for one of the up and coming stars of Brazilian football.

The second most valuable Brazilian on the list is Fluminense’s central defender Thiago Silva who has been tracked by Inter Milan - a club currently with a number of centre backs out injured. The 24-year-old’s contract runs out in 2008, so a big European club can expect to pick him up for cheap and “the best defender in Brazil” would grace any team.

In third place in the Special Report comes Nilmar, Internacional’s 24-year-old striker. He is considered hot property, scoring 15 goals in 27 appearances, although European clubs may be put off by the fact that this striker had an unsuccessful spell at Lyon in 2004/2005.

Other young exceptionally promising strikers on the list include Keirrison of Coritiba (16 goals this season), Pedro Oldoni of Atletico Paranaense (five goals this season) and the Colombian Edixon Perea of current leaders Gremio (nine goals this season).

But, there are not just attacking players included in this Special Report, illustrating the great depth of talent in all positions in Brazilian football. The fourth most valuable player is Miranda (€8,000K), another centre back and even two goalkeepers (Fabio Costa and Bruno) make this list.

Of course, it would be remiss of us not to mention a previous IMScouting player to watch: Guilherme, who we described as the new “jewel” of Cruzeiro. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder is having a terrific season, scoring 16 goals in 26 games and his estimated market value of €6000K could be a steal.

As the likes of Kaka, Robinho and Ronaldinho continue to impress the whole world and forge successful careers in Europe, this list is invaluable for featuring the next batch of players that will surely be household names in the coming seasons.

Please note, that this Special Report, like all the others on IMScouting, is updated automatically and if you want to know if any new Brazilian potential superstars are added to this list in future then check back here.

This Special Report can be seen on the front page of IMScouting or in the Special Report section of the website, which includes other previous reports. Check back next week for our latest Special Report.