Transfer window: Players to look out for this summer
Monday 13 June 2016 10:29, UK
Neil McGuinness is a former Celtic first-team scout who helped unearth talent such as Virgil van Dijk, a transfer which made the club millions after the defender was sold to Southampton last September.
Currently scouting players for the Qatari national team ahead of the country hosting the World Cup in 2022, McGuinness shares his thoughts on players who could be targeted in this summer's transfer window.
Potential future stars
Angel Correa - 21 - Atletico Madrid
Angel Correa is a player I have been watching for many years since he first appeared on the scene at San Lorenzo. His performances didn't go unnoticed and Atletico came in and signed him for 7.5m euros which might yet turn out to be a bargain.
He has huge potential to be a top-level player. He has pace, off-the-ball movement, brilliant control and touch, the ability to shoot from distance with power and is able to finish calmly in the box. Add to that a hint of aggression in his play, which has made him look at ease at every level he has played at.
I fully expect Correa to develop into a consistent starting player for Atletico and become a regular national team player, with three full Argentina caps already.
Ante Coric - 19 - Dinamo Zagreb
At 19, Croat Ante Coric is still developing towards a more mature understanding of the game but he is already showcasing ability that points towards a bright future.
A quick-footed player, he has the understanding to know when to drop the shoulder or shift his balance to beat players with ease, gliding past people at times. Coric has great close control and possesses sharp acceleration and pace to burst into space. He is very capable of playing in the number 10 role.
If he continues to grow at the same rate, I can see a move to one of the bigger level clubs in Europe sooner rather than later but I would hope that he stays at least another season with Zagreb to get more first-team football under his belt.
Mahmoud Dahoud - 20 - Borussia Monchengladbach
Mahmoud Dahoud is a defensive/central midfielder who often goes unnoticed in the Monchengladbach side due to the role he plays, but his ball recovery ability is something that is absolutely crucial for the team. Dahoud has the vision to see play developing and step in at just the right time to win the ball back, time and time again.
He is not the tallest or most physical of players but he plays with such a grit and intensity in his efforts to win the ball that you soon forget his size. But Dahoud is much more than a ball winner, he can also see a pass and his quick thinking and sharp passing is another massive part to his game.
Smart in and out of possession, he is the type of player that allows the forward-playing, creative types to express themselves. Born in Syria but representing Germany at youth level, it is a matter of time before he is given a chance to step up and represent the senior national side. A very interesting player for the future.
Jonathan Tah - 20 - Bayer Leverkusen
Tall, strong and powerful, aggressive, quick, good in the air and on the ground, Jonathan Tah has all the things you would hope for in your ideal central defender - and he is only 20 years old.
Don't get me wrong, he still has a lot of learning to do and makes some mistakes that with experience he will probably eliminate from his game, but in terms of maturity and form, he looks the part. A regular at the back for his club, Tah already had seasons of first-team experience with Hamburg and Dusseldorf before his move to Leverkusen.
Recently rewarded for his good form with a senior international call-up, should Tah continue to progress he could be Germany's regular centre-half for years to come.
Possible bargains
Vincent Janssen - 21 - AZ Alkmaar
Vincent Janssen is another player that I came across a few seasons ago while playing for lowly Almere City in the Dutch second division. What initially stood him out for me was his finishing ability.
He has a great sense of calmness and timing in his final decision-making and regularly finds the corner of the net, leaving the 'keeper standing still. Not blessed with lightning pace, Janssen relies on his movement, being able to lose his marker before the opponent is aware and having the intelligence to have planned his next move before pace catches up with him. After top-scoring for Almere, he was signed by AZ Alkmaar and has gone on to have an outstanding first season in the Dutch premier.
A player who will be viewing the summer transfer window as his chance to push onto the next level, he could turn out to be a bargain signing. Tottenham have been linked with him in recent days, while Ajax and PSV will be well aware of what he could bring to the side. And to think Feyenoord released him on a free transfer!
Hakim Ziyech - 23 - Twente Enschede
Hakim Ziyech is a stylish, creative, goalscoring offensive midfielder. He has been performing to a steady pace for the past few seasons but it is only this season that the majority of clubs around Europe have started to really take note. I watched him when he was at Heerenveen and he was doing the same things week in week out that he is now doing for Twente, so it's no surprise that he is now the star man of the side.
In terms of attitude and work rate, Ziyech is maybe not everyone's cup of tea but when he is allowed to play with freedom and to express himself, he is capable of winning matches on his own. A skilled set-piece taker, I have seen him score from numerous angles and distances.
Give him time and space on the ball and he can float past entire opposing defences. Somebody will take the gamble on him, and he has already rejected approaches from Sampdoria and Hoffenheim which gives the impression that he has a better offer on the table.
Ludwig Augustinsson - 22 - FC Copenhagen
Capable of playing left back, left wing back or left wing, Ludwig Augustinsson offers a wealth of options down the flank for Copenhagen.
The offensive side of his game comes across as very appealing to any side looking to get the ball into the box from the wide areas and Augustinsson is very adept at just that, regularly providing assists with crosses from deep or whipped across the box. Defensively he puts in a shift and has the added bonus of being around six feet tall and capable of providing cover at the back post.
Already capped for the Sweden senior side and a constant for Copenhagen at club level, it is a matter of time before a bigger club takes him from the Danish league for his next challenge.
Corentin Tolisso - 21 - Lyon
Corentin Tolisso is a versatile player who can operate in various positions, mainly as a central midfielder but has been used as a full back when required by the team.
He is Mr Calm on the ball, rarely giving away possession and always offering himself for the pass. His range of passing is sharp and accurate and he always finds the time to make his decision, which comes down to his ability to read the play and position himself accordingly.
I wouldn't say he is the answer for any team looking for an aggressive holding midfielder who will be snapping into tackles but more of a cultured passing player, probably more suited to teams who like to counter-attack and play at pace.
Tolisso has not been capped for the French senior team yet and probably needs to do a bit more in terms of influencing games before he will be considered for that stage. But he has been a regular for the national youth teams and if he continues his progression, a move to a bigger club could be on the cards this summer.
Potential summer deals
Alexandre Lacazette - 25 - Lyon
Alexandre Lacazette has put himself in the shop window with impressive performances at club level.
Newcastle previously tried and failed to sign the Frenchman and he is now in the enviable position where he will be able to consider a host of different options. He boasts acceleration mixed with sustainable pace over distance, smart finishing within the box and the ability to drift out of games and then hit teams when it seems least likely.
The downside is he won't come cheap. If media reports are to be believed, Newcastle failed with a bid of around £25m. Lyon will hold out for the right price after he signed a new deal, so Lacazette could be on the market for a significant fee this summer.
Mauro Icardi - 23 - Inter Milan
He's not lightning quick, he doesn't hold the ball up well and he isn't very strong in the air. But Mauro Icardi can finish, and finish well. He can score from almost anywhere in and out of the box and that is what has made him such an interesting option for Europe's elite.
Icardi averages close to one goal every two games for Inter and has found himself on many top sides' 'lists', which all clubs prepare heading towards transfer windows. He is another who won't be cheap, and could cost anything from £35m upwards.
The top four in England will be well aware of his potential, as will the top sides in Spain. Where he ends up will ultimately come down to the player and agent's preference, financial package and best chance of regular first-team football but he certainly won't be short of options.
