Ten youngsters on the radar of the Premier League’s biggest clubs.
Luke Shaw
Southampton have insisted they will not sell the youngster this summer but Manchester United are reportedly ready to pay £30m for the England left back. Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham have also been credited with an interest in Shaw, who is likely to beat Ashley Cole to a spot in Roy Hodgson’s World Cup squad. A solid tournament should see his value rise even higher.
Alberto Moreno
The Sevilla left back has been linked with nearly every top club in the Premier League – most prominently Liverpool – but Real Madrid are also in the hunt for his signature. The 21-year-old is likely to feature for Spain at the World Cup, where his stock could rise even further.
Will Hughes
The 19-year-old Derby County playmaker was recently named as the Football League Young Player of the Year and has been strongly linked with Liverpool. A host of other Premier League clubs are likely to challenge the Reds for Hughes’ signature this summer, however.
Ryan Gauld
‘Mini Messi’ is one of the brightest talents to emerge from Scotland in years and Real Madrid and Manchester United are said to have watched the Dundee United star this season. Eighteen-year-old playmaker Gauld, who is just 5ft5, has a contract at United until 2017 so could remain put to develop in the SPL.
Antoine Griezmann
The Real Sociedad winger has scored goals for fun in La Liga this season and looks set to earn a big move this summer. There have been rumours that the France international, 23, has already agreed to join PSG but this has been hastily denied by Real. Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal are all said to be in the hunt for the Frenchman.
William Carvalho
The Sporting Lisbon midfielder, 22, has had a brilliant season and is likely to play a key role for Portugal at this summer’s World Cup. Manchester United and Arsenal are both thought to have sent scouts to watch the enforcer in action but his £37.5m release clause could prove a deterrent.
Romelu Lukaku
The Belgian international has bagged 31 goals in two season in the Premier League but doesn’t appear to be rated by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. There are plenty of clubs who will take the 20-year-old, however, with Tottenham and Lukaku’s current loan club Everton likely to compete for his signature this summer.
Eliaquim Mangala
The centre half came close to joining Manchester City on January transfer deadline day in a double deal with team-mate Fernando. City failed to stump up the required cash but are still in need of a centre half, so could return with a fresh bid in the summer. A host of other European giants are likely to be interested too, however.
Julian Draxler
Arsenal reportedly came close to landing the 20-year-old Germany playmaker in January, while Bayern Munich are thought to have promised Draxler a summer move to Bavaria. The winger’s club Schake appeared determined to keep him, however.
Paul Pogba
The French midfielder is now rated at £60m but was released by Man United on a free transfer in 2012. The 21-year-old, who is set to play at key role for Les Bleus at the World Cup, is wanted back at Old Trafford but Real Madrid and PSG head the queue of his admirers.