Best young stars: seven hottest names in the transfer market coming to a top club soon
All you need to know about the football world's stars of tomorrow
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WITH the January transfer window just around the corner, Premier League teams and their fans are constantly on the lookout for the ‘next big thing’.
In a world where Football Manager and FIFA 17 are considered vehicles for scouting by some, everyone thinks they know the players to watch.
has a unique algorithm which gives every transfer rumour a score out of five.
That means they are monitoring any potential deals across the globe and they have picked out a few promising youngsters that you may want to keep an eye on.
Here are seven that Football Whispers expect to shine in 2017.
Kasper Dolberg, 19, Ajax, centre-forward
They have almost become a farm for young talent and it looks like Ajax have unearthed another gem in 19-year-old Kasper Dolberg.
Although still a teenager, he plays like an all-round centre-forward. He can take up the target-man role, with the size and strength of a true No.9, but then has the speed to terrorise defenders, skipping past the back four before unleashing unstoppable shots with his right-foot.
Dolberg can hold off the bigger centre-backs, run at the quicker full-backs and has the touch, speed of thought and agility to get his body in front to add the finishing touch.
His skillset his helped him score eight goals in 16 league games this season and has already attracted the attention from the likes of Manchester City.
Josh Sims, 19, Southampton, winger
If Liverpool fans are looking for their next midfield dynamo, look no further than Southampton’s Josh Sims.
The 19-year-old made his full debut in the 1-0 win over Everton in November and gave the home crowd a glimpse of his talent.
Sims has all the attributes that Claude Puel looks for in a young player: busy, a tough tackler, he loves to use his blistering pace to charge at full-backs and fire crosses into the box. He is also able to use both feet and while he isn’t tall, he is strong and is up for the fight. It is easy to see why he is so highly regarded.
Alban Lafont, 17, Toulouse, goalkeeper
When looking for the next teenage goalkeeping sensation, most will point you towards A.C Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma.
However, over in France Toulouse shot-stopper Alban Lafont has been earmarked as a future France No.1
He kept a clean sheet in his debut against Nice at just 16 years old and has been Le Téfécé’s first-choice ‘keeper ever since.
Tall, commanding in the air and an excellent shot-stopper, he is everything you want in the man chosen between the sticks.
Lafont already plays like he’s a veteran. He is calm and assured, he can make any type of save and has cat-like reflexes. He is destined to have a very long and successful career.
Thiago Maia, 19, Santos, centre midfield
Despite still playing for Santos in his homeland of Brazil, Thiago Maia is regarded as the heir to Thiago Motta’s defensive midfield throne.
Maia has been linked with moves to Liverpool, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain and won the Olympics with Brazil in the summer.
His reading of the game is excellent, plus he has the speed to chase back and make superb recovery challenges. Even when he doesn’t succeed first time, he has the strength and fight to battle until he wins the upper-hand.
When in possession, he looks to push the tempo, advance the game with his stylish left-foot and can push forward when the opportunity strikes.
Kylian Mbappe, 18, Monaco, wing and centre forward
Kylian Mbappe burst onto the scene last season, breaking Thierry Henry’s record as Monaco’s youngest ever goalscorer.
Then, after helping France win the Under-19 European Championships, he has played his part as his team have become one of the highest scorers in Europe.
Strong and quick with the ball at his feet, the 18-year-old has the dribbling ability to dazzle defenders on the wing and the clinical eye to finish from anywhere in the penalty area.
In just five starts this campaign, Mbappe has scored three times, adding four assists and is building a reputation for popping up in the right place at the right time.
Able to score with both feet and his head, he has the potential to surpass Henry’s amazing career.
Manuel Locatelli, 18, AC Milan, centre midfield
A.C Milan fans yearn for the glory days when they were one of the top clubs in Europe. They hope that with Manuel Locatelli, they have the youth talent that can help rebuild their legacy.
The quick-thinking defensive midfielder has become the shield in front of Vincenzo Montella’s defence.
Milan’s own Sergio Busquets, he moves the play on, uses his skinny frame to get between himself and the ball and then sweeps beautiful passes up field.
Locatelli patrols the middle of the park well, but he’s not afraid to get forward either. He scored winners against Sassuolo and Juventus, sealing the latter with a stunning effort from outside the box at the San Siro.
He looks a midfielder for the big occasion and one for now, not just the future.
Goncalo Guedes, 20, Benfica, winger and forward
It must be a defender’s worst nightmare: a forward who can dribble at pace, cross with both feet and shoot accurately from distance. How do you stop them?
That is the question Portuguese teams are asking themselves as they face off against SL Benfica talent, Goncalo Guedes.
Promoted through the youth ranks, the 20-year-old has already played over 60 games for the first-team and came more to attention this season with two goals in the Champions League group stage.
He has a superb awareness and understanding of where his team-mates will be, giving the impression he is a step ahead of everyone else. That helps him create chances, but means defenders must give him respect. When they hang off, he’ll release a wicked shot in the blink of an eye.