POLISH forward Arkadiusz Milik could be headed to the Premier League.
Tottenham are locked in talks with his club Napoli in a shock deal for the target man who was previously linked to Manchester United, SunSport has exclusively learned.
7
Arkadiusz Milik grew up watching the Premier League, but had a wayward childhoodCredit: https://www.instagram.com/arekmilik/?hl=en
7
Milik is in talks for a shock £25m move to TottenhamCredit: Pacemaker Press
But Milik, 26, didn’t have an ideal childhood, and was abandoned by his dad as a young boy.
By the age of six he allegedly smoked and shoplifted, as it appeared he was going wayward.
However, it was a Polish football coach who saw his talent and helped him achieve his dream of becoming a footballer.
And he could’ve ended up at Tottenham – who are said to be willing to pay £25million for the target man – earlier on in his career.
However, an unsuccessful trial as a teen, under the watchful eye of former manager Harry Redknapp, meant Spurs didn’t fancy paying his then-£100,000 fee.
TOUGH CHILDHOOD
Born in Tychy, a small town 12 miles from Katowice, Milik’s dad walked out on him and his mum.
It was Sławomir ‘Moki’ Mogilan, a local football coach, who took on the role of father-figure.
He guided a young Milik towards his potential, even though he was going off the rails at the tender age of six.
“At six years old, he was insolent, smoked cigarettes and stole candy in stores,” he revealed to as.
7
Milik poses with football legend Diego MaradonaCredit: https://www.instagram.com/arekmilik/?hl=en
Milik acknowledges Moki’s influence on his life. “Moki appeared in my life and saved me,” he said.
TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
Back in 2011, Milik reportedly went on trial at Tottenham when Harry Redknapp was in charge of the North London giants.
But after failing to impress coaches, Spurs decided against paying Rozwój Katowice £100,000 for his services.
Their reasons at the time were that they believed they had far better strikers on their books at the time.
Championship side Reading also passed on the opportunity to sign Milik, before he exploded on the scene a year later at at Gornik Zabrze.
DREAMING OF UNITED AND LEWANDOWSKI
7
Milik has said it is his dream to play for boyhood club Man UtdCredit: AFP
Milik once revealed it was his dream to play for Manchester United.
He said: “I am a Red Devil supporter, so I would love to play at Old Trafford one day.
“For now, however, I am a Bayer Leverkusen footballer, and I am very far from Manchester.”
And his ideal strike partner would be international teammate Robert Lewandowski, who has been linked to a move to the Premier League in the past.
“It would be fun to play on Robert’s side, especially in Manchester United,” he said.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Milik became a big hit at Gornik Zabrze in his second season as a pro.
In 2012-13, he managed eight goals in 15 games, which prompted Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen to part with £2.5m for the promising talent.
7
Tottenham could’ve bought Milik for just £100,000 in 2011Credit: AFP
But he failed to settle in Germany – and his misery was compounded by an unsuccessful loan to FC Augsburg, where he scored just twice in 20 games.
Accused of being out of his depth, he was sent on loan to Ajax, which turned out to be his saving grace.
REBORN IN AMSTERDAM
In 2015 Leverkusen and Ajax agreed a deal to make Milik’s loan deal permanent, where the 6ft 1in star flourished.
Brought in to replace the departing Kolbeinn Sigþórsson as the club’s No9, he scored 47 goals in 75 games.
Manager Frank de Boer utilised his best abilities – playing him centrally in a front three.
And training with Dennis Bergkamp helped him improve further.
“I’m a better player now than in the summer of 2014,” he told ELF Voetball in 2016.
7
At Ajax Milik found his feet after disappointment at Bayer LeverkusenCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“Having Bergkamp as one of our coaches at Ajax helps. He’s always around. Even after practice he wants us to practice shooting.
“That’s where I train my less skilled leg a lot. It really helps working with legends like him. It has to do with the small details, the things of the strikers.”
NAPOLI AND BEYOND
After a year in Holland, where his reputation on the European stage grew thanks to some impressive displays in the Europa League, Serie A came calling.
Napoli paid around £32m for the Pole – hoping he would be the man that could finally help them overtake Juventus as the top team in Italy.
However, after a successful start to life in Naples that included braces against AC Milan, Dynamo Kiev, and Bologna, a serious injury halted his promising start.
A torn anterior cruciate ligament in an international match against Denmark threatened to end his season.
But four months later he was back in a Napoli shirt, and he has gone on to become a frontman defenders hate playing against.
Last season, Milik managed 14 goals in all competitions and he has 48 goals in 122 games for the Serie A giants.
Tailor-made for the hustle and bustle of the Premier League, he could provide adequate back-up for Kane.
7
Milik scored 14 goals in competitions last seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty More
