Premier League Transfers: Six Overseas Bargains Premier League Clubs Should Target Before Deadline Day
Ben McAleer
Premier League teams have a preference for targeting Europe’s top five leagues when it comes to strengthening in the transfer window. Players are well-versed in the demands that come with playing in the biggest and most testing leagues on the continent.
However, there is a bargain or two to be had when casting the net a little further afield. Nottingham Forest tapped into Liga Portugal to strengthen their defence with the capture of Ousmane Diomande. Bournemouth did similar, signing Antonio Silva from Lisbon rivals Benfica.
Promoted Coventry City added Ghana international Caleb Yirenkyi to the ranks, the 20-year-old joining from Danish outfit Nordsjælland. Arsenal, meanwhile, brought in Christos Tzolis from Belgian side Club Brugge.
There is ample talent in the Belgian, Turkish, Portuguese and Dutch markets, among others.
Here, we take a look at a few players from further afield that Premier League sides could target in the final knockings of the summer transfer window.
Victor Osimhen
A fairly obvious choice. Victor Osimhen took to the Turkish Super Lig like a duck to water. The Nigerian powerhouse established himself as one of Europe’s best strikers during his time with Italian giants Napoli.
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Osimhen managed 15 league goals and provided a further five assists across just 22 league outings for Galatasaray last season. The 27-year-old has previously been tentatively linked with a move to England. He’d start for any Premier League side, bar Manchester City. In their pursuit of a striker, Tottenham Hotspur should certainly push to sign Osimhen.
Givairo Read
Givairo Read has recently confirmed he is focussed on Feyenoord after a move to Nottingham Forest collapsed. The Dutch right-back has been heavily linked with a Premier League switch, with Manchester City also believed to have been monitoring the 20-year-old.
Read is the ideal modern-day full-back, capable of both overlapping down the flank, or inverting into midfield. No wonder City were credited with an interest. While the youngster is expected to remain in the Netherlands for now, Premier League sides in need of defensive reinforcements could do a lot worse than target Read before deadline day.
Joaquin Seys
Another young defender impressing on the continent, Club Brugge would be reluctant to lose two star players this summer. Christos Tszolis has departed for Arsenal. Joaquin Seys could yet follow the Greek winger to England.
Seys has been linked with a move to Premier League powerhouse Manchester United as Michael Carrick seeks to bring in a new left-back. Lewis Hall is believed to be the number one left-back target for Carrick's side. 21-year-old Seys would be a cost effective alternative for United.
Kees Smit
Kees Smit was linked with a Premier League switch at the turn of the year with Liverpool and Newcastle both reportedly eyeing up the 20-year-old. A switch to England failed to come to fruition, this despite comparisons with Barcelona and Spain star Pedri.
Comfortable in tight areas, he’s able to shake off pressure from opponents and set his side on the frontfoot. Smit’s off-ball work is also a stand out, with the youngster relying on his commendable reading of the game to limit attacking threats. It’s a surprise that a top-flight English side hasn’t taken a gamble on the AZ Alkmaar star.
Oskar Pietuszewski
While he penned a new deal in May, Oskar Pietuszewski should be attracting watchful glances from Premier League sides. The Polish winger moved to FC Porto at the turn of the year, and made an impressive impact for the Portuguese side.
The 18-year-old favours starting from the left before cutting inside onto his wicked right and letting fly. What’s more, the teenager is an effective one-on-one specialist. Pietuszewski uses his pace to great effect both on and off the ball. FC Porto would be reluctant to cash in on the teenage winger at this stage, but he’s one who’d improve any number of Premier League teams.
Georgiy Sudakov
Remaining in Portugal, Georgiy Sudakov is one of Ukraine’s brightest attacking talents. The 23-year-old may have struggled to live up to expectations having broken onto the scene with Shakhtar Donetsk in 2020.
Sudakov moved to Benfica on loan last summer, before the switch was made permanent earlier this summer. The Portuguese side could turn a quick profit on a midfielder, who works tirelessly out of possession to aid the defensive phase and is capable of driving his team forward through central areas.
