What do Ajax, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona have in common, apart from the odd European crown of course?
While Manchester United, Sporting Lisbon and co might have something to say about this, the aforementioned trio are perhaps the three clubs most renowned across the continent for youth development.
So it’s no surprise really that Hoffenheim wonderkid Melayro Bogarde has admirers not just at the Amsterdam Arena but also at the Camp Nou, not to mention a German giant who are ripping Bundesliga defences apart with a fresh-faced Haaland-Sancho-Reyna frontline.
BILD report that Dortmund and Ajax are competing to sign the Rotterdam-born Dutch youth international Bogarde. Gianluca di Marzio, meanwhile, believe that the Hoffenheim starlet could follow in the footsteps of his uncle, Winston, with a switch to Catalonia.
An AC Milan side who’s own youth revolution has taken Italian football by storm, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic looking to lead a merry band of kids, Pied Piper-like, to Scudetto glory, have also thrown their hat into the ring.
So what chance would you realistically give Aston Villa, at this stage, of luring Bogarde to the Holte End? A slim one, probably.
But Villa, who were also linked via that BILD report, are starting to make a reputation for themselves as a side capable of giving the big boys a bloody nose in the transfer market.
Over the summer, they beat Bayern Munich and Chelsea to Exeter City record breaker Ben Chrisene. Goal-machine Louie Barry joined from Barcelona too, returning to the Midlands after making his name at a few miles down the road at West Brom.
In fact, since hiring Mark Harrison as their new academy director last September, Aston Villa have been quietly snapping up some of Europe’s most promising teenage talents, with newcomers Oliwier Zych, Sil Swinkels and Caolon McBride all highly-rated within scouting circles.
Bogarde, who is due to become a free-agent next year, would be in good company at Villa Park. That’s if Barcelona don’t get there first.
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