5 of the most in-demand youngsters in world football

The winter transfer window opens in January, as a result, there has been an upswing in the number of stories and news on potential transfers.

Most European leagues have had about 13-15 matches so far. Therefore, coaches, chairmen, and directors are now fully aware of where the holes in the teams are.

The winter transfer window is not one that most of the big European clubs prefer shopping in. This is because most game-changing players who could make an instant impact are already tied up with their present clubs. Therefore, getting them to sign in the middle of the season would be difficult and very expensive.

There has been an upswing in the number of quality youngsters doing very well this season. All over Europe, a host of U-23 players have stood up to be counted. Jadon Sancho (BVB), Pablo Fornals (Villarreal), Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina) are just some of the many young players who have dazzled this season.

Big European sides are already eyeing up some of these young stars and could make moves for them in January. Here is a look at 5 of the most in-demand tyros currently:

#5 Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund)

It seems that the young American winger has been playing for decades now. Yet it is amazing to note that he is still just 20 years of age. One of the shining lights for Die BVB last season, he has been a bit-part player in Lucien Favre's free-scoring side this term.

Fellow tyros Sancho and Jacob Bruun Larsen have gotten more playtime than the American international. This has, however, not diminished interest in him from the big clubs

His diminutive stature coupled with pace and a forward-thinking style means he remains a prized asset for Dortmund. This has led to the club's sporting director; Michael Zorc coming out publicly to state that Pulisic will not be leaving the club in January.

However, this is not expected to deter interested parties who see him as possessing the needed-quality to improve their teams. Liverpool has been linked with a move for him for a while now. With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's injury and Adam Lallana's lack of form, Jurgen Klopp could make a move for Pulisic in January.

Chelsea has also been linked though this would happen only if Eden Hazard's rumoured move to Real Madrid is successful.

#4 Nicolas Pépé (Lille OSC)

Arsenal have been closely linked with the Lille star

One of Ligue 1's hottest prospects, the 23-year-old has been untouchable so far this season. His dribbling, crossing, finishing, and set-plays dexterity have been key in Les Dogues (The Great Danes) push for a UEFA Champions League slot.

Playing on the right of Lille's 4-3-3 formation, he has become the go-to guy for a young side. Despite coming up against richer and traditionally stronger teams like PSG, AS Monaco, Olympique Lyonnais et al, Christian Galtier's men currently sit in 4th, 2 points behind second played Lyon.

A lot of this has been down to Pepe's stats of 8 goals and 5 assists in 14 games so far. Screamers, tap-ins, freekicks, penalties are just some of the goals he has gotten. This has expectedly led to him being linked to some of Europe's leading lights.

Arsenal is a club desperately in need of a player of his quality. The Gunners have been repeatedly linked to his services and may make a move for him in January. Bayern Munich has also repeatedly identified him as a potential successor to Arjen Robben's throne.

#3 Nikola Milenkovic (Fiorentina)

There are a lot of quality, young centre-backs in European football currently. It is safe to say, however, that few are as highly thought of as Fiorentina's Serbian giant

Milenkovic's rapid rise to hot prospect has been as steady as it has been quiet and deliberate. Until last season, he was just another prospect in the Serbian Super Liga for hometown club, Partizan Belgrade.

However, the Viola quickly spotted his talent and agreed on a €5.1m deal to bring him to the Stadio Artemio Franchi in June 2017. His performances were one of the highlights in a mediocre season for the club.

He did his growing reputation no harm with his imperious displays for Serbia at the World Cup. Strong in the air, rugged and sure-footed, his style is reminiscent of fellow Serbian Nemanja Vidic. Milenkovic however, models his game more in the style of Gerald Pique. He is unhurried in possession.

Fiorentina's manager, Stefano Pioli has drafted him as a right-back at times this season. While this position does not fully suit his style, it has helped him improve his passing and distribution.

Manchester United are the biggest club rumoured to be after him. It is a measure of how desperate Jose Mourinho is for his services that the Portuguese has gone to watch Milenkovic in action for both club and country.

His stats for the season have been very good, the Serbian has performed way better than any of the Red Devils current centre-backs.

#2 Frenkie De Jong (AFC Ajax)

When a young, Dutch midfielder is referred to as the modern reincarnation of the late Johan Cryuff, people sit up and pay attention.

A youngster whose stock has risen rapidly in recent months, De Jong is a player who at the moment, can pick which European giant he would want to play for if he leaves the Amsterdam Arena.

The 21-year-old is an integral member of the Ajax side currently making waves in the UEFA Champions League. Operating as a regista, he is the orchestrator and dictator of how the team plays. This is in spite of the presence of more experienced players like Lassa Schone and Dusan Tadic in the team.

His intelligence, press-resistant style, and distribution are already at par with many an older player. He has shone whenever he has been called upon and has shown zero nerves even when up against more illustrious opponents attacks.

Like the very best registas, he is adept at slotting into the centre of the defense and acting as a sweeper whenever the fullbacks push up. FC Barcelona is just one of the many clubs he has been linked to. The Blaugrana see De Jong as a long-term replacement for Ivan Rakitic.

He has also been linked to Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspurs. Ajax has remained obstinate about not selling but it is doubtful if De Jong will still be in Amsterdam come next season.

#1 Matthijs de Ligt (AFC Ajax)

De Ligt could become the world's most expensive defender — De

Kylian Mbappe is arguably the biggest teenage star in world football. However, a certain blonde haired, Dutch centre-back may not be far behind. De Ligt is a player whose growth and development have been rapid. He has emerged as one of the leaders in a seemingly upward moving Dutch national team.

An accomplished passer of the ball, the 19-year-old is the very definition of what a modern centre-back is supposed to be. Elegant on the ball, he combines technique, intelligence and an eye for a pass with old-school ruggedness and aerial prowess.

One of the fastest centre-backs currently playing, he is very rapid and is capable of man-marking not just pacy wingers, but also strikers who rely on physicality and aerial ability to get the better of defenders.

Like De Jong, he is also being closely monitored by some of Europe's biggest clubs. FC Barcelona has long held an interest in him. It is believed at the Camp Nou that De Ligt could be even better than his current manager at the Oranje, Ronald Koeman was for the Blaugrana.

Tottenham Hotspur has had a fantastic record buying from Ajax. Christian Eriksen, Jan Veronghen, Davinson Sanchez and Toby Aldeweireld (not bought directly from Ajax) are some of the quality stars that have moved from the Amsterdam Arena to White Hart Lane in recent years.

Spurs have also been linked to De Ligt as have defending European champions, Real Madrid.

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Edited by Nishant Jayaram