RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Italian Serie A giants Juventus are reportedly interested in signing Brazilian starlet Bruno Mendes.

The 18-year-old striker has shot to prominence with three goals in his first three appearances for Botafogo, including a match-winning double against local rivals Vasco da Gama on Thursday.

Talent scout Stefano Paolini recommended Mendes to Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici after being told to identify Brazil's most promising youngsters, Brazilian daily Terra reported.

"He has good technical ability, explosiveness, positional sense and a striker's goal-scoring instinct," Paolini is quoted as saying.

Former AC Milan star and current Botafogo teammate Clarence Seedorf is among those to have been impressed by Mendes, saying he had "the ability and attitude to succeed".