THIS summer Erling Haaland will be the biggest transfer target in football.
The Norwegian hotshot, 20, is being hunted by the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, and both Manchester clubs in a deal that will likely cost over £100million.
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But not everyone can afford to pay that kind of fee, especially because the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has meant clubs have less financial muscle than before.
No, they and their scouts will have to be a bit more savvy when it comes to looking for the ‘next Haaland’ – a player who started his career at unfashionable Molde before moving to RB Leipzig for £7million.
Here’s SunSport’s guide to who could fit the bill for Europe’s penny-pinchers, including their value on Transfermrkt.com
PATSON DAKA
Like Haaland, Zambian striker Daka is sharpening his finishing at Red Bull Salzburg before an inevitable big-money move.
At 22, time is on his side to continue to improve and his goalscoring record is just as impressive as the man whose boots he was asked to fill.
In his past two seasons, the 6ft 1in prolific hitman has scored 60 goals in 85 games.
Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea are some of the Premier League clubs said to be interested.
Transfermrkt value: £20m
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GIANLUCA SCAMACCA
At 6ft 5in, Italian centre-forward Scamacca, 22, is just as dominant as Haaland physically.
He’s not quite got the numbers goalscoring-wise as the Borussia Dortmund striker, but the Sassuolo-owned target man has been flying at Genoa on-loan this campaign.
A dozen goals in 29 appearances in all competitions for a mid-table side in Serie A shows he can find the net.
For Italy’s U21 team, the Juventus target is more prolific with eight goals in 14 games.
Transfermrkt value: £7m
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DARWIN NUNEZ
Uruguayan Nunez is a real presence upfront, standing at 6ft 2in.
In all competitions this term, the Benfica striker has managed 14 goals in 39 games – with a better rate in the Europa League of five goals in eight games.
He has been capped by his country, appearing four times and scoring twice.
But given Benfica paid £20million for him in 2020, he won’t come cheap.
Transfermrkt value: £20m
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ADAM HLOZEK
The youngest on the list, Czech striker Hlozek is said to be interesting Premier League side West Ham.
The 18-year-old has been in blistering form for Sparta Prague this season – scoring 11 goals in 17 league games.
And he’s already made his international debut for the Czech Republic against Slovakia at the end of last year.
Incidentally, Hlozek is also a record breaker – being the youngest Sparta player ever after making his debut in 2018 aged just 16 years, 3 months and 16 days.
Transfermrkt value: £10m
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MYRON BOADU
The Dutch striker, 20, is a product of AZ Alkmaar’s talent factory and is a master poacher.
AC Milan and Liverpool are said to be keeping tabs on Boadu, who exploded on to the scene in the 2019-20 season – scoring 20 goals in 39 games in all competitions.
This year, his numbers have tailed off a little with four goals in 13 games – but he’s still highly-thought of.
Boadu made his debut for Holland against Estonia in 2020 Euro qualifier against Estonia, scoring the fifth goal in a 5-0 rout.
Transfermrkt value: £10m
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BRENNER
Last year, Brazilian Brenner, 21, was one of the most talked about talents in South America.
He was even linked with a move to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal after a stunning season at Sao Paulo, where he scored 22 goals in 38 games in 2020.
However, MLS club FC Cincinnati managed to beat a host of Europe’s top clubs to his signature – with clubs reluctant to spend the £10million fee during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
He has one goal in his first three games so far.
Transfermrkt value: £10m
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JOSE MACIAS
Mexican striker Macias, 21, has scored goals at his parent club Guadalajara, as well as Leon in Liga MX.
In his first 115 games, he’s managed 42 goals and proven he’s got an eye for goal.
International boss Gerardo Martino has been keen to blood the prodigy into the Mexico national team, and already he’s thriving.
Four goals in his first five games shows that’s he’s ready for a new challenge, possibly in Europe.
Transfermrkt value: £10m
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