Premier League duo Tottenham Hotspur and Everton have both sent scouts to watch FC Basel in Champions League action this season.
Dimitri Oberlin has been one of the breakthrough stars of this season’s Champions League campaign.
The Basel forward scored four goals in six starts in Europe’s top club competition, including two in a stunning 5-0 group stage thrashing of Benfica at St Jakob’s Park.
So no wonder Oberlin, who is on loan at Basel from Red Bull Salzburg, has attracted interest from other clubs on the continent. According to Salzburger Nachritchen, Tottenham Hotspur are keen on a player who, at just 20 years of age, is exactly the kind of raw talent that Mauricio Pochettino loves to work with.
But Spurs have not been alone in sending scouts to watch Basel this season. Per The Sun, Everton’s representatives were at The Etihad for the Swiss side’s shock 2-1 win at Manchester City in the round-of-16 second-leg dead rubber.
And though Oberlin endured a bit of a night to forget in front of goal, putting an excellent headed chance wide when he really ought to have scored, the Swiss prospect showcased the natural pace and line-leading ability that wreaked so much havoc in the group stages.
Everton might have spent big on established talent under Farhad Moshiri, but director of football Steve Walsh has also been put to use bringing young rising talents to Goodison Park, and Oberlin definitely fits the bill.
So do not be surprised if links with Spurs are just the start.
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