IT promises to be the biggest transfer scramble in history.
With no end in sight to the coronavirus crisis and uncertainty over when the current Premier League season will finish, clubs will have to move swiftly in the summer to strengthen their squads.
Kasper Dolberg is just one name that could head to the Premier League this summerCredit: EPA
So now is the time to start identifying Europe’s top young talents.
We all know about Jadon Sancho, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Moussa Dembele.
But who are the next batch of whizkids who could potentially make the step up to superstar status?
Here, SunSport runs the rule over the best young guns plying their trade in France, Spain, Italy and Germany.
Each one is aged 23 or under and has an eye for a goal or an assist.
Now all the Premier League clubs need to do is reach for the chequebook…
FRANCE
VICTOR OSIMHEN
(Lille, forward)
The Nigerian, 21, is the most coveted young striker in the French league right now, barring a certain Mr Mbappe.
Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid are all linked with him.
19/20 Lge apps: 27 Goals: 13 Assists: 4
KASPER DOLBERG
(Nice, forward)
Ripping it up under the tutelage of Patrick Vieira.
The Dane, 22, was once best known for having his £60,000 watch nicked by a team-mate. Now it’s his goals that are stealing the show.
19/20 Lge apps: 23 Goals: 11 Assists: 3
JONATHAN IKONE
(Lille, midfielder)
Former PSG graduate took a gamble when he left Le Parc des Princes. But it has paid off.
Now 21, a French international and one of the leading players for assists in Ligue 1.
19/20 Lge apps: 28 Goals: 3 Assists: 6
Jonathan Ikone has thrived this season playing for LilleCredit: AP:Associated Press
IRVIN CARDONA
(Brest, midfielder)
A major reason why recently- promoted Brest are holding their own in Ligue 1.
The Frenchman, 22, was ditched by Monaco last summer but has made that decision look very foolish.
19/20 Lge apps: 21 Goals: 6 Assists: 3
TANGUY KOUASSI
(PSG, central defender)
PSG’s youngest ever Champions League player and likened to fellow Frenchman Marcel Desailly.
Still 17, has an eye for goal but is yet to sign a pro contract. Leipzig and Manchester City are aware.
19/20 Lge apps: 6 Goals: 2 Assists: 0
SPAIN
MIKEL OYARZABAL
(Real Sociedad, winger)
Sociedad are the most exciting young team in LaLiga right now and Spaniard Oyarzabal, 22, is one of the reasons.
David Moyes gave him his big break, he’d love to have him now.
19/20 Lge apps: 26 Goals: 8 Assists: 6
Mikel Oyarzabal has attracted the attention of Manchester CityCredit: Getty – Contributor
OSCAR RODRIGUEZ
(Leganes, midfielder)
Rodriguez, 21, is on loan from Real Madrid and has been since 2018 but his future is cloudy.
The Spanish ace has an eye for the spectacular, only Lionel Messi has scored more from outside the box.
19/20 Lge apps: 26 Goals: 7 Assists: 2
FERRAN TORRES
(Valencia, winger)
Despite rumours of a £91m release clause, the 20-year-old Spaniard has no shortage of suitors, including Liverpool.
He is out of contract in a year’s time, so Valencia may have to sell.
19/20 Lge apps: 25 Goals: 4 Assists: 4
MARTIN ODEGAARD
(Real Sociedad, midfielder)
The Norwegian was Europe’s hottest property. Joined Real Madrid for £2.5m aged 16 but has made only one appearance for them.
Now 21 and on loan at Sociedad, he is once more attracting interest.
19/20 Lge apps: 23 Goals: 4 Assists: 5
Real Madrid’s Martin Odegaard has spent the season on loan at Real SociedadCredit: Getty Images – Getty
MARC CUCURELLA
(Getafe, left-back)
On loan from Barcelona but his release clause is just £23m.
The Spanish 21-year-old can also operate on the wing. Tottenham, Arsenal, Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach are keeping tabs.
19/20 Lge apps: 26 Goals: 1 Assists: 4
ITALY
LAUTARO MARTINEZ
(Inter Milan, forward)
Argentine with a keen eye for goal. Chelsea are sniffing around the 22-year-old, who has already scored nine times in 17 outings for his country.
But, with a £100m tag on him, they would have to smash their previous club-record transfer fee of £72m for Kepa. Much depends on their pursuit of Sancho.
19/20 Lge apps: 22 Goals: 11 Assists: 1
Chelsea are likely to step up their chase for striker Lautaro MartinezCredit: Getty – Contributor
LORENZO PELLEGRINI
(Roma, midfielder)
Pellegrini suffered with an irregular heartbeat as a kid but now sets pulses racing in central midfield.
The Italian, 23, is in Europe’s top five for key passes but he wants more money to stay at Roma. His release clause is only £27m. No wonder Everton are interested.
19/20 Lge apps: 18 Goals: 1 Assists: 8
SANDRO TONALI
(Brescia, midfielder)
Looks like Pirlo, plays like Pirlo. It’s a big ask to expect him to emulate his famous countryman but the 19-year-old is certainly excelling in a side rooted to the bottom of Serie A.
Operating as a box-to-box midfielder, his form has alerted the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and PSG.
19/20 Lge apps: 23 Goals: 1 Assists: 5
FEDERICO CHIESA
(Fiorentina, forward)
Son of former Italy striker Enrico, Chiesa Jnr almost has as many caps for the Azzurri (17) as his old man (22).
Fiorentina value him at £54m and are desperate to keep the 22-year-old.
But Manchester United are believed to have sent scouts to watch him and the lure of the Prem may well prove too much.
19/20 Lge apps: 23 Goals: 6 Assists: 3
Federico Chiesa is likely to cost around £54m from FiorentinaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
NICOLO ZANIOLO
(Roma, midfielder)
There is no questioning the ability of this Italian midfielder but there will be a few doubts about his fitness after a knee operation in January.
But that hasn’t halted Juventus’ interest in the 20-year-old, who has been dubbed the new Totti and described as ‘phenomenal’.
19/20 Lge apps: 18 Goals: 4 Assists: 1
GERMANY
KAI HAVERTZ
(Bayer Leverkusen, forward)
Just 20 and a superstar in the making. Even Lothar Matthaus claims ‘he could follow me as World Footballer of the Year’.
The German already has six goals and five assists in all comps in 2020.
19/20 Lge apps: 22 Goals: 6 Assists: 5
Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz is hot property across EuropeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
ALPHONSO DAVIES
(Bayern Munich, left-back)
Canadian whizkid has got it all at 19. Blistering pace, great crosser, he also does a decent Backstreet Boys impression.
His dad’s a Chelsea fan but that didn’t stop him taking the Blues apart.
19/20 Lge apps: 21 Goals: 1 Assists: 4
MILOT RASHICA
(Werder Bremen, forward)
Quick-footed and lethal. The Kosovan, 23, is Bremen’s only hope of avoiding relegation.
The rumour is Dortmund will pounce if Sancho leaves. Prem clubs should get in first.
19/20 Lge apps: 20 Goals: 7 Assists: 4
Milot Rashica is being lined up as Jadon Sancho’s replacementCredit: Getty – Contributor
ACHRAF HAKIMI
(B Dortmund, right-back)
Sancho and Haaland may get the headlines but Moroccan ace Hakimi, 21, is just as pivotal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (14) is the only defender in Europe to have more goal involvements than Hakimi (13).
19/20 Lge apps: 25 Goals: 3 Assists: 10
CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU
(RB Leipzig, midfielder)
Werner and Upamecano are the wanted men at Leipzig but Nkunku has gone under the radar.
The Frenchman, 22, is fifth in Europe for assists and managed four in one game against Schalke.
19/20 Lge apps: 23 Goals: 4 Assists: 12
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
