Ligue 1 has announced their five ‘Young Player of the Year’ nominees, so we have decided to take a look at the similar groups of players from Germany, Spain and Italy.
The French league’s list includes Arsenal defender William Saliba, who is currently on loan at Marseille, RC Lens forward Arnaud Kalimuendo, Lyon defender Castello Lukeba, PSG defender Nuno Mendes and Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram.
Although the Bundesliga, LaLiga and Serie A have yet to reveal their nominees, we take a closer look at the hot prospects from around Europe that are already attracting interest from the Premier League.
Sportmail went into detail on the youngsters already linked with a move to England…
LALIGA
Gavi (Barcelona)
The 17-year-old has emerged as one of the most prodigious young players in world football, coming through Barca’s academy to become a key first-team player.
The Spanish midfielder has already made 33 appearances for the LaLiga giants, registering five assists and scoring twice in that time.
His performances are already attracting interest from Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, although you’d imagine the Catalan giants will do everything in their power to keep hold of the future star.
Gavi, 17, is already attracting interest from Liverpool with his impressive performances
Alexander Isak (Real Sociedad)
The Swedish international had an impressive season last time round and has perhaps failed to live up to the same heights this campaign.
The 22-year-old is still being monitored by Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool, according to The Sun.
Despite only finding the net 9 times this season, when he scored 17 in LaLiga last term.
Alexander Isak is being monitored by the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool
Yeremi Pino (Villarreal)
The 19-year-old winger has been setting LaLiga alight with his superb displays, scoring six times and picking up a further four assists.
Pino has also notched once in the Champions League as Villarreal reached the semi-finals against the odds.
According to reports in Spain, Liverpool have made contract with Villarreal over the possibility of bringing the youngster to Anfield.
Yeremi Pino of Villarreal has been setting LaLiga alight and has attracted Liverpool
Riqui Puig (Barcelona)
The midfielder has not had such a strong season like the others that feature on this list as he has struggled for game time since the arrival of Xavi as Barcelona boss.
The 22-year-old, however, is still catching the eye of Wolves, according to a report by Diario Sport.
Puig has only made 14 appearances in all competitions for the Catalan giants this campaign and a move away could help continue his development.
Riqui Puig has caught the eye of Wolves despite a lack of game time under Xavi at Barcelona
Barcelona duo Ansu Fati and Pedri are more likely candidates to be in the running to win a young player of the year award, but it would be highly unlikely they would be able to move away.
Similar to Real Madrid starlets Vincius Jr, Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo would you’d expect to be in contention.
BUNDESLIGA
Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)
The England international continues to shine in the Bundesliga again this season, having scored 6 times and picked up 13 assists from midfield in 42 appearances.
The 18-year-old is arguably one of the best talents in the world right now and is being targeted by Premier League sides Manchester United and Liverpool as well as Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Pundits Andy Cole and Owen Hargreaves have been urging United to make the move for the rising star.
Jude Bellingham is one of the biggest talents in the world right now let alone the Bundesliga
Florian Wirtz (Leverkusen)
Manchester United are ‘leading the chase for £60million-rated German wonderkid Florian Wirtz’ from Bayer Leverkusen, but face competition from Arsenal, according to the Sun.
The 18-year-old is regarded by many as a generational talent and made his Bundesliga debut just after his 17th birthday.
He has seven goals and 10 assists in 24 Bundesliga games this season while also lighting up the Europa League, notching three goals and four assists across six games.
Man United are reportedly leading the chase to sign Bayern Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz
Dominik Szoboszlai (RB Leipzig)
The 21-year-old midfielder has notched 10 goals and added a further eight assists in 41 appearances in all competitions so far this campaign.
Arsenal have been linked with the Hungarian international since before he opted to join RB Leipzig in the January 2020 transfer window.
The Gunners remain interested, especially given his quick adaptation to life in the Bundesliga.
Dominik Szoboszlai has notched 10 goals and picked up eight assists for RB Leipzig this season
Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig)
The 20-year-old has been a key figure for the German outfit this season, playing 29 times for the club in the Bundesliga after signing from Dinamo Zagreb last summer.
According to a recent report from GOAL, Chelsea have ‘earmarked’ Gvardiol as the ideal defender to bring in this summer.
The Croatian is seen as a good option to play on the left-hand side of a back three, the position Rudiger has taken up for the majority of this season.
Chelsea have ‘earmarked’ Josko Gvardiol as the ideal defender to bring in this summer
SERIE A
Aaron Hickey (Bologna)
Newcastle and Brentford are amongst a host of clubs weighing up a move for £20m-rated Bologna left-back Aaron Hickey.
The 19-year-old earned his first two senior caps for Scotland over the past week after emerging as a first-team regular for Bologna this season.
The young defender made the move to Italy in September 2020, waving goodbye to Hearts to ply his trade over in Serie A.
Newcastle and Brentford are amongst clubs weighing up a move for Bologna’s Aaron Hickey
Mikkel Damsgaard (Sampdoria)
Tottenham reportedly retain an interest in Sampdoria winger Mikkel Damsgaard, who is a player the club will consider signing this summer upon his return from a lengthy lay-off.
The 21-year-old put his name up in light at the European Championships last summer when he starred for the Danish national team on their way to a semi-final defeat to England.
Despite missing most of the season, Spurs remain interested in Damsgaard, according to Football London.
Tottenham remain interested in Sampdoria winger Mikkel Damsgaard despite a lengthy injury
Damsgaard was a surprise star for Denmark at Euro 2020 as he helped them reach the semis
Weston McKennie (Juventus)
McKennie’s performances for Juventus have seen him linked with a move to England.
In January, reports in Italy claimed that the Old Lady rejected a bid from Spurs that was below their £25million asking price for the American.
Relegation-threatened Leeds had also been linked with a swoop for the 23-year-old, but no transfer materialised.
Weston McKennie’s performances for Juventus have seen him linked with a move to England
Nicolo Zaniolo (Roma)
Roma winger Nicolo Zaniolo is a primary transfer target for Juventus this summer amid interest from the likes of Man United and Liverpool, according to Calciomercato.
The 22-year-old has scored seven times and added eight assists in 38 games under Jose Mourinho so far this campaign.
Roma winger Nicolo Zaniolo has attracted the likes of Juventus, Man United and Liverpool
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is not in the top five leagues in Europe, but is perhaps the league attracting the most interest from the Premier League ahead of the summer.
A whole host of Ajax stars including Antony, Jurrien Timber and Ryan Gravenberch are being heavily linked with a move to United to follow current boss Erik ten Hag as he moves across to Old Trafford.
Arsenal are reportedly favourites to sign PSV Eindhoven’s £42million rated winger Cody Gakpo
The 22-year-old has scored 16 goals across all competitions to go with 15 assists in his 37 appearances so far this season, keeping the club in the hunt for their first Eredivisie title since the 2017-18 season.
Cody Gakpo is attracting a lot of interest on the back of his displays for PSV Eindhoven