10 of the brightest European youngsters who could find their way to the Premier League this summer
Andrea Belotti (Torino)
The Italian striker has impressed in Turin this term, scoring 25 goals in 36 games for Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side.
That earned the 23-year-old a new deal at the Stadio Olimpico in December, making him the club’s top earner.
But the No.9’s form has seen scouts continue to head to Italy to witness the growth of a player en route to becoming first choice for his country.
Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen)
Of all the fine young talent in German football right now, it is the Bayer Leverkusen winger who is the crown jewel.
An exciting, goalscoring winger, Brandt’s subtle promptings from either flank have become a crucial weapon for Roger Schmidt’s ultra-attacking side and the 20-year-old has broken into the senior Germany squad after an outstanding Olympics.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is a long-time admirer and has made Brandt a top target this summer.
Bayer won’t cash in for less than £20million (at least), but Liverpool could well find themselves in a battle with Real Madrid, amid reports that Zinedine Zidane is also keen.
Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich)
Twelve months ago, Kingsley Coman had the world at his feet. Having joined Bayern on a two-year loan from Juventus the previous summer, the teenage winger was thriving under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, on the verge of the France squad and impressing in Bavaria with a string of eye-catching performances.
It seemed only a matter of time that Bayern would elect to pay the €21million option.
But Coman’s second season in Germany has been far more difficult, injuries and a change in formation under new boss Carlo Ancelotti meaning less playing time and less of an impact from the 20-year-old.
Mahmoud Dahoud (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Born in Syria, Mahmoud Dahoud emerged as a lynchpin at the heart of the Foals' midfield, alongside Granit Xhaka last season. That saw interest arrive last summer in the midfielder, but with Xhaka on his way to Arsenal, Gladbach refused to countenance his sale too.
Gladbach wanted to hand Dahoud a new deal in August, but talks broke off - initially seeing Dahoud left out of the side - and there have been no further conversations over a new deal as yet.
Yet since Dieter Hecking’s arrival at the Borussia Park, Dahoud has been back in favour and impressing. Gladbach chief Max Eberl wants the 21-year-old to ink a new deal with the club, amid interest from Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool.
Liverpool bid £20million last summer, but with only 15 months left on his contract, Gladbach may well be forced to cash in this summer for a lower figure - which is bound to bring plenty of suitors.
Kasper Dolberg (Ajax)
He’s not the first, he won’t be the last, Kasper Dolberg is just the latest off the production line of strikers that have come through the Ajax academy and his impressive debut season at the Amsterdam ArenA has seen scouts begin to circle.
The 19-year-old has scored 15 in the league and 6 in Europa league, making a spot in the Amsterdammers first XI his own with his clever link up play and intelligent movement.
Jurgen Klopp has labelled him “fantastic”, Borussia Dortmund were watching before landing Alexander Isak and both Barcelona and Manchester United have also been linked.
Still a little raw however, the Dane would be better served spending another season in the Eredivisie.
Leon Goretzka (Schalke)
After seeing injuries stall his progress somewhat in the last two years, the 22-year-old has been a first choice at the heart of Schalke’s midfield under Markus Wienzierl this term.
Technically adept, versatile and standing 6ft 2in, he first came to national attention in the second tier as a 17-year-old before earning a £2.5million move from Bochum to the Veltins Arena. Has long been tipped as the natural heir to Sami Khedira in the box-to-box midfield role in the Germany side and having been in the national squad in November, this is a bigger summer for a player who hopes to head to Russia 2018 with the world champions.
Schalke will need to cash in on one of their star names if they don’t qualify for Europe as general manager Christian Heidel faces up to a need to cut costs and they’re currently eight points off the top six in the Bundesliga.
Goretzka, whose deal expires in 2018, is likely to be that man. His former coach at Bochum, Peter Neururer, says he is on his way to becoming “world class”, but needs European football, amid links in Bild with Bayern: "I’m sure Leon Goretzka will be a big name in German football and a solid figure in the national team. But the boy has to play internationally (in Europe) on a permanent basis."
Franck Kessie (Atalanta)
The 20-year-old Ivory Coast international only moved up to Serie A last summer on his return to parent club Atalanta after a year on loan with Cesena, but Kessie has taken to top division life like the proverbial duck to water.
He announced his arrival with two goals in the opening day defeat to Lazio and has continued to impress as part of a young, vibrant Orobici side, his style earning comparisons to the ex-Chelsea and Lyon star Michael Essien.
Chelsea have been regular watchers and saw a £21million move rejected in January; they’re expected to go again for the all-action midfielder in the summer.
But Manchester United have also taken an interest and Jose Mourinho may well have the advantage with Kessie having revealed: “I like the Premier League and in particular Man United, the club I dream of playing for."
Aymeric Laporte (Athletic)
Still only 22, the French defender is already into his fifth season in the senior side at Athletic and appears to have fully recovered from the fractured fibula that saw Manchester City pull out of a potential £40million-plus deal last summer.
Laporte was handed a new deal by Athletic, raising his buyout clause to £55million and the left-sided centre-half is very much the embodiment of a modern defender: comfortable in possession, strong in the air, happy defending both on the edge of his own penalty area and the halfway line.
Pep Guardiola will likely move again for the Basque star in the summer, but he’s likely to face competition.
Inter Milan have money to spend and, according to Corriere dello Sport, Inter Milan have made him a top target. Barcelona have long been mooted as potential future employers also.
Kylian Mbappe (Monaco)
In truth, it was just another fine showing in a growing list for the 18-year-old, who has bagged 14 goals and landed nine assists in 35 games for Leonardo Jardim’s Ligue 1 leaders.
The Thierry Henry comparisons aren’t without merit, and Mbappe’s breakout season is seeing him linked with a summer move to a member of the European elite, with numbers in excess of £50million being spoken of.
Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester City - all have been mentioned as possible destinations. Likewise Tottenham. There’s no question that he will leave Monaco, it’s just a matter of when he makes the jump from Ligue 1. This summer is likely to prove too soon, unless he wants to be a substitute elsewhere.
Youri Tielemans (Anderlecht)
One of the shining lights in Belgian football, Youri Tielemans has come through the system at Anderlecht and is now thriving at the Constant Vamden Stock having taken over as the leader of Rene Weiler’s side.
Only 19, he’s taken the captain’s armband on occasions this season, and his fourth season in the Belgian top flight is expected to be his last. He’s twice won the country’s Young Player of the Year award, but this season he’s leading the charge for the senior award, having scored 17 goals already from central midfield.
He’s also made his senior debut for the national team, handed his first caps by ex-Everton boss Roberto Martinez.
When asked about his future, Tielemans has spoken of the importance of his next step, going somewhere to continue playing regularly. If his friend, Romelu Lukaku, gets his way, Tielemans will be at Goodison Park come the new season.
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