THE WANTED ONES
These bright young things are all shining around Europe, and being spied by the continent’s top clubs
RUBEN DIAS
BENFICA, 22 Portugal
Dias is expected to be one of the best centre- backs of this decade, although some would argue that he’s world- class already. The 22- year- old is a key presence for a dominant Benfica side and now first- choice for Portugal, with whom he was man of the match in the 2019 Nations League Final against the Netherlands. He has a release clause of € 100 million but will likely be moving soon. Manchester City are strongly linked.
KAI HAVERTZ
BAYER LEVERKUSEN, 20 Germany
The towering midfielder, often compared to Michael Ballack, may be 20 but already has more than three campaigns of Bundesliga experience for Leverkusen. Havertz famously missed a 2017 Champions League tie due to a school exam, and his trajectory since has been remarkable. He netted 20 goals in 42 matches last term, but his main gig is dictating play with calm assuredness. It’s no wonder Jurgen Klopp is watching.
DAYOT UPAMECANO
RB LEIPZIG, 21 France
Upamecano joined Salzburg in the summer of 2015, shortly after guiding France to Under- 17 Euros glory. The 6ft 1in centre- back was Leipzig- bound 18 months later and is now considered one of the Bundesliga’s most promising defenders as RBL challenge for the title. “It would surprise me if no club came knocking,” shrugged Leipzig’s sporting director, Markus Krosche, in January. Arsenal are believed to be big admirers.
DONNY VAN DE BEEK
AJAX, 22 Netherlands
Van de Beek scored against Juventus and Spurs last season as Ajax came within seconds of reaching the Champions League final – and they weren’t even his best games. That honour goes to his virtuoso display in the Amsterdam outfit’s 4- 1 rout of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, where his hard work and distribution came to the fore. Dutch reports suggest he’s bound for Real this summer. If you can’t beat ’ em, sign ’ em.
NICOLO ZANIOLO
ROMA, 20 Italy
Inter were so desperate to recruit Radja Nainggolan from Roma in 2018 that they let Zaniolo leave in the other direction for just € 4.5m. It was a grave mistake: the attacking midfielder promptly developed into one of Italy’s best young players, leading to comparisons with Francesco Totti. Knee surgery, required following a fine solo run against Juventus, ended his 2019- 20 in January, after Spurs had mulled a move last summer.
SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE
VILLARREAL, 20 Nigeria
Inspired by stars including Jay- Jay Okocha and Arjen Robben, Chukwueze is a tricky, fearless dribbler who loves to take on his opponents. He was instrumental in Nigeria’s 2015 U17 World Cup triumph, but another two years passed before the winger got his big move to Spain. The Liverpool- linked starlet’s best game for Villarreal to date was against Barcelona in April 2019, when he scored and assisted in a thrilling 4- 4 draw.
ODSONNE EDOUARD
CELTIC, 22 France
Edouard just keeps getting better at Celtic, where he’s averaging nearly a goal per league game in 2019- 20. It’s not hard to see why the Glaswegian giants spent a club- record £ 9m for his services in the summer of 2018, making a prosperous loan switch permanent. The striker had hoped to star for Paris Saint- Germain prior to that, but the French side’s loss has been the Bhoys’ gain. At this rate, PSG will be buying him back.
LAUTARO MARTINEZ
INTER, 22 Argentina
Martinez was touted as Diego Milito’s heir at Racing Club, and it was the Inter icon himself who urged his protégé to head for San Siro in 2018. The striker has relished replacing unpredictable Nerazzurri captain Mauro Icardi this season, and formed a devastating partnership with Romelu Lukaku. Martinez has also scored nine goals in his opening 17 appearances for Argentina – so how’s £ 100m for a price tag, Barça?