We take a look at ten of the brightest young stars in the Premier League who could be set for a loan spell next season.
The Premier League does not have a shortage of talented young footballers, with the biggest clubs in the country each having a number of future prospects on their books.
With squad sizes getting ever bigger and the competition for honours always increasing, however, first team opportunities are harder to come by – meaning that a number of these youngsters will find themselves loaned out over the course of the season.
We have taken a look at some of those players who may be available for clubs, both in the lower echelons of the Premier League and across Europe, who may be available for a short term transfer this summer.
Christian Atsu (Chelsea)
One of the most hotly contested loan signings this summer is likely to be that of Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu from Chelsea, whose impressive World Cup campaign with the Black Stars has led to numerous enquiries about the player’s availability.
Chelsea are expected to loan him out once again, after he spent last season with Eredivisie club Vitesse Arnhem, with SPL champions Celtic having expressed an interest in the player.
Serge Gnabry (Arsenal)
German attacking midfielder Serge Gnabry enjoyed a breakthrough season at the Emirates Stadium, making a handful of appearances for the first team after impressing Arsene Wenger when he signed from Borussia Dortmund as a teenager.
If Wenger is willing to allow Gnabry to leave the club on loan then there are likely to be numerous suitors, with a potential player-plus-cash deal for Southampton’s Calum Chambers having been suggested.
Jordon Ibe (Liverpool)
Former Wycombe Wanderers winger Jordon Ibe enjoyed a baptism of fire in his first loan spell since arriving at Anfield last season, after he helped Birmingham City to escape Championship relegation on the last day of the season.
Ibe is considered to be the next big star at Anfield likely to follow in the footsteps of Raheem Sterling and he could be in and around the first team squad, but a loan move could also work wonders for the teenager.
Josh McEachran (Chelsea)
Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran has already had four loan spells away from Stamford Bridge, with Swansea City, Watford, Wigan Athletic and Middlesbrough, and the 21 year-old is now looking for a change of scenery.
The Oxford-born midfielder is reportedly looking for a loan move to the Spanish Seguna Division in an attempt to continue his footballing development in a different culture, possibly with either Real Zaragoza or Recreativo de Huelva.
Michael Keane (Manchester United)
Manchester United centre back Michael Keane is seen as one of the most exciting young players at Old Trafford currently, having already impressed in the Championship during loan spells with Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers.
Another move to the second tier could be on the cards, with relegated Cardiff City potentially using former United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as bait to lure Keane to South Wales.
Patrick Bamford (Chelsea)
Young Chelsea forward Patrick Bamford has already enjoyed two successful loan spells, with Milton Keynes Dons and Derby County, with the Blues now reportedly feeling that it is time for the 20 year-old to try his hand in the Premier League.
The former Nottingham Forest forward is a natural finisher and high hopes are held out for the player amongst the Stamford Bridge hierarchy.
Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal)
Arsenal right back Carl Jenkinson may be set for a spell away from the Emirates Stadium next season, considering that the Gunners have parachuted Mathieu Debuchy into his area of the pitch.
The former Charlton Athletic man has done a solid job when called upon for Wenger, meaning that he may view a temporary move for Jenkinson as more preferable to a permanent move away.
Emyr Huws (Manchester City)
Young Welshman Emyr Huws made his bow for Manchester City at the end of the season and is thought to be one of the brightest prospects at the City of Manchester Stadium currently.
He has already had a short spell with Northampton Town in League Two, with Premier League newcomers Burnley now thought to be interested in taking Huws on loan.
Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea)
A fine World Cup campaign for Nigeria has put centre back Kenneth Omeruo on many teams’ wishlists, but former loan club Middlesbrough are certainly keen to take him back to the Riverside Stadium.
The young defender showed huge amounts of potential during his spell on Teesside last season and is seen as one of the brightest of Chelsea’s vast amounts of young talent.
Alex Pritchard (Tottenham Hotspur)
Young Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Alex Pritchard enjoyed a fine year on loan at Swindon Town, which saw him nominated for the League One player of the year award.
Having also impressed during his time with Peterborough United in the Championship it may be time for Pritchard to seek a temporary Premier League move, with Spurs unlikely to want to lose their young star permanently.