U21 Euros - 5 lesser-known players who could be snapped up by big clubs

The greatest joy in watching youth football like in the UEFA U21 Euros is discovering young, unpolished gems who could blossom in the future.

Clubs also get the chance to steal a march on others in the transfer game. In tournaments like the U21 Euros, fans and clubs get the chance to see a talent who could be on the verge of a breakout campaign.

On that note, let's have a look at five players at the ongoing U21 Euros in Hungary and Slovenia who could move to bigger clubs in the near future.

Five players to watch out for at the 2021 U21 Euros:

#5 Ridle Baku

Ridled Baku has excelled for Wolfsburg and could be one to watch out for at the U21 Euros.

The U21 Euros allows players who are U21 at the time of qualifying to play in the tournament proper. That means players who are 22 or 23 but were U21 when qualifying began are eligible to participate.

Germany's Ridle Baku, at 22, is one such player who could shine at the U21 Euros. He currently plays as a right-back for Wolfsburg in Germany, but he can play on the right wing.

His preferred position is central midfield, though. Drafted in from Mainz, Baku has been played at right-back because of injuries to Wolfsburg's other options. He has scored five goals and provided three assists in the Bundesliga this season.

Club watch - Baku might prefer the centre of midfield, but his future probably lies on the right wing. Borussia Dortmund, as things stand now, might lose Jadon Sancho in the summer,r and their right-back situation isn't great either.

They could definitely look at Baku. Juventus aren't the strongest down the right either ,and with Cuadrado ageing, a move for Baku could make a lot of sense.

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#4 Aurelien Tchouameni

Andrei Tchouameni is the latest in a line of exciting French talents.

One of the standout young stars of this season, it wouldn't be incorrect to say that Aurelien Tchouameni has been the best midfielder in Ligue 1 this season.

Only 21, the Frenchman from the Bordeaux academy, has progressed massively this season in a young, exciting Monaco side. He usually plays in a deeper midfield role, where his excellent tackling and passing awareness come to the fore.

Given how strong France's midfield is at the U21 Euros, it wouldn't be surprising if Tchouameni doesn't play much. But scouts of big clubs should keep an eye out for him.

Club watch - Chelsea and Real Madrid seem interested in Tchouameni. But their respective city rivals could be better fits for the player.

Atletico Madrid haven't really replaced Thomas Partey. With Saul not performing at his previous levels and Marcos Llorente doing better further up the field, Tchouameni could be an excellent option to play alongside Koke in midfield.

Another interesting option could be pairing Thouameni alongside Partey at Arsenal.

#3 Gianluca Scamacca

Gianluca Scamacca is capable of some genuine wonder strikes

Gianluca Scamacca has been highly rated for a while, but he is only just enjoying a breakout season.

In just nine league starts, he has four goals and as many assists as his qualities have shone through. He's tall, strong and fast but is also technically proficient. However, his best trait undeniably is his ability to unleash high-quality shots from seemingly impossible situations.

Those attributes remind of one Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Scamacca is still a work in progress, but he has the quality to get there, without a doubt.

Club watch - While he's on loan at Genoa from Sassuolo now, he could be sold this summer. It might be to another Serie A club, but Borussia Dortmund could take a look at him, as Erling Haaland is almost certain to leave.

A backup role at AS Roma, where he could learn from Edin Dzeko, would help too.

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#2 Pedro Goncalves

Pedro Goncalves didn't get a chance for Wolve,s but he could soon be back in the Premier League with a bigger club.

Considering Bruno Fernandes was the outstanding player of the Primera Liga for several years and continued his exploits in the Premier League, he looked impossible to replace for Sporting Lisbon.

That was before they signed Pedro Goncalves from Famalicao, though. Goncalves excels as a left-sided attacker in an attacking midfield role and has a remarkable 15 league goals this season. His positioning, in particular, is fabulous, which allows him get into the scoresheet often.

Club watch - Liverpool have shown this season that they require new faces and new ideas. Pedro Goncalves would not only provide that from midfield, but his excellent work-rate could ensure that he'll fit in their playing style as well.

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#1 Teun Koopmeiners

Teun Koopmeiners is destined for great things

Teun Koopmeiners belongs to the AZ Alkmaar academy and seems destined for big things.

He is left-footed and is adept in playing both defensive midfield and centre-back. Koopmeiners is also incredibly positionally aware, and given his quality and range of passing, he can dictate the tempo of matches.

His defensive numbers are also quite good, which makes him a brilliant asset to have. Koopmeiners is the captain and heartbeat of the Dutch U21 side, who might well lift the trophy at the 2021 U21 Euros. Whether that happens or not, a senior call-up is surely on the anvil for him.

Club watch - Barcelona would do well to buy someone of his talent, but that seems unlikely. Manchester United are more likely and perhaps the most suitable option for the talented Dutch player.