International tournaments are often talked about as “shop windows” for footballers seeking to make a big-money move to one of Europe’s elite clubs – and this summer is no different.
There are scores of players competing at Euro 2020 who will be hoping to catch the eye not only back home but also further afield. Club scouts are everywhere and the likes of Spain and Turkey boast plenty of young talent, while England themselves have an average squad age of just 24.8 years.
While names often hit the headlines thanks to a goal or two being scored in the group stage – and there’s never a shortage of reports linking the next whizz kid with Manchester United or Real Madrid – impressing at a major tournament doesn’t necessarily guarantee future success at club level.
Tomas Brolin, Gilberto Silva and Andrey Arshavin all used a summer competition to secure big-money moves to England within a year of their exploits – to varying degrees of subsequent success.
Here, i looks at five players who have so far played themselves into the shop window, and where they could fit in the Premier League…
Denzel Dumfries – Netherlands
It was perhaps inevitable that when Denzel Dumfries second goal in successive group games for Netherlands this month that he would be asked about a transfer away from PSV.
The Dutch side are adept at building a player’s reputation before selling them off at a hefty price – just look at Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Memphis Depay.
Asked about his future, the 25-year-old Dumfries said: “I just play my game as I always do. I’m not at all concerned. I concentrate fully on the tournament. There is still a lot of room for improvement.”
Dumfries has played on the right of midfield for Netherlands this tournament but is deployed as right-back with PSV. He has helped cover at the back during the Euros as much as he can be found in the opposition box.
He has supposedly draw interest from Everton’s Dutch director of football Marcel Brands, and could potentially replace Seamus Coleman (whose contract expires next summer) on the right side, either in defence or further forward.
However, Arsenal, Newcastle and Spurs could also do with a right-back were the opportunity to arise this summer.
Clubs linked
- Everton
Clubs in need
- Everton
- Arsenal
- Newcastle
- Tottenham
Patrik Schick – Czech Republic
Sat front and centre in the Euro 2020 shop window with baubles attached and fairly lights flashing above his head, Patrik Schick could well be the bargain buy of the summer if a club decides to snap him up.
The Bayer Leverkusen forward scored both of Czech’s goals against Scotland in their opening group game – including the mesmerising lob over David Marshall from near the halfway line. He converted from the penalty spot to open the scoring in the 1-1 draw with Croatia too.
Schick joined Leverkusen from Roma last season for £22m and was asked about the possibility of a Premier League switch following his exploits at Hampden Park.
“When I left the Czech Republic, my dream was to play in Italy and I achieved that,” he said. “Now, I feel very attracted to England, to be honest. Leipzig was absolutely the right choice for my career. I had also talked to Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke here in Germany.
“In England, there were Everton and Crystal Palace, plus Valencia in Spain.”
Would Everton or Palace now go in for the striker? Both sides are already well stocked up front but both are also seeking new managers for next term. Palace in particular could see an overhaul of their first team. Newly-promoted Watford are supposedly looking for a goalscorer, as are Brighton.
Clubs linked
- Everton
- Crystal Palace
Clubs in need
- Watford
- Brighton
- Crystal Palace
Gianni Alioski – North Macedonia
Leeds United have offered Gianni Alioski a new contract as his current deal expires at the end of June – but so far the versatile left-sided man is yet to commit his future to the Elland Road club.
Alioski joined Leeds back in 2017 and at the age of 29 is likely to be signing his last big contract this summer, wherever that may be. A temperamental but committed player, he has supposedly caught the eye of Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, while CSKA Moscow have also been linked with the player.
Alioski scored his own penalty rebound in North Macedonia’s 2-1 defeat to Ukraine but was also caught dawdling at the back for Austria’s opening goal in the first fixture of Group C.
Marcelo Bielsa has stuck Alioski in at left-back all season and he has faired arguably above his ability for months. He will be a free agent next month and is therefore very much in the “shop window” at the Euros. Whether or not his performances increase or decrease his transfer value remains to be seen.
Southampton and Aston Villa are both in need of a left-back but Alioski looks likely to exit the country if he doesn’t take up Leeds’ contract offer.
Clubs linked
- Galatasaray
- Fenerbahce
- CSKA Moscow
Clubs in need
- Southampton
- Aston Villa
Robin Gosens – Germany
At the age of 26, Robin Gosens is only just making a name for himself on the international stage. The left-sided player can be stuck in at full-back or on the wing, and scored Germany’s fourth in their victory over Portugal in Group F.
Gosens came through the Vitesse Arnheim youth set-up and moved to Atalanta in 2017. Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy reckon Leicester have had a £17m (€20m) offer has been rejected, with the Serie A side seeking closer to £30m (€35).
Even then, that figure would represent something of a bargain for a versatile player who looks remarkably comfortable at this level and who Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini branded a “sniper” in the box.
Supposed suitors Leicester are unlikely to be the only Premier League side interested in Gosens. Leeds need a left-back if they are to drop Alioski, and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola could seek competition for Oleksandr Zinchenko, with Benjamin Mendy potentially being offloaded.
Clubs linked
- Leicester
Clubs in need
- Leeds
- Manchester City
Alexander Isak – Sweden
Henrik Larsson, Marcus Allback, Zlatan Ibrahimovic… is Alexander Isak to be the next great Swedish striker? At the age of 21 there is plenty of pressure on the youngster’s shoulders to carry the country’s forward line in the post-Zlatan era.
Isak joined Real Sociedad from Borussia Dortmund in 2019 and had a buy-back clause in his contract that the Spanish side have negotiated away. Even so, Isak has a £60m release clause and Sociedad may struggle to keep Premier League or La Liga suitors away if the interest is genuine.
Isak caused Spain a headache or two in the 0-0 draw that kicked off Group E and could well grow into the tournament here. The transfer-minded papers have fallen over themselves linking Isak to both Arsenal and Liverpool, as well as cash-strapped Barcelona who have just signed Sergio Aguero.
Yet neither Premier League side is in a position to spend £60m on a position they are well covered in anyway, so exits would almost certainly have to happen before a move for the Swede could be made.
As for who in England could afford Isak and actually needs cover in his position, City appear the only real contender – yet Guardiola is unlikely to trust the main striker role to such a raw talent. Perhaps, then, Isak will be the toy in the window too expensive for anyone to buy.
Clubs linked
- Arsenal
- Liverpool
Clubs in need (and who could afford him)
- Manchester City
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3wPX912
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