- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
AZ Alkmaar striker Vangelis Pavlidis has been scouted by Premier League trio West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Fulham with a January move potentially on the cards.
HITC Football understands that, after a superb first half of the campaign in the Eredivisie, AZ’s silky Greek international could soon be offered the chance to translate his stellar form into one of Europe’s major leagues.
West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Fulham all have Vangelis Pavlidis among their list of January targets, having sent scouts to watch the talented centre-forward in action over the last two months.
West Ham United eye another Eredivisie raid
Pavlidis has broken the 20-goal barrier in each of his three seasons at AZ. He’s scored 22 in just 27 games during the current campaign, the former Willem II talisman combining those trademark body swerves and his excellent close control with some ruthless finishing.
The elegant, artistic Pavlidis has even been labelled ‘one of the best centre-forwards in Europe’.
“I would have advised Ajax to sign Vangelis Pavlidis before this season, although he would probably have cost quite a bit. I think he is a real Ajax striker,” compatriot Nikos Machlas, who himself enjoyed a prolific spell in Amsterdam and won the European Golden Boot in 1998, tells Voetbal International.
“He is very complete and is now well on his way to becoming the next Greek top scorer in the Eredivisie. That also makes me a little proud.
“I think Vangelis is one of the best centre-forwards in Europe at the moment. He could easily come close to my number of 34 goals as top scorer.
I am curious whether AZ will sell him in January. I know that John (van’t Schip, Ajax coach) is a fan of Vangelis, but I expect that his future will now lie outside the Eredivisie.”
22 goals in 27 starts this season
Machlas will not be surprised, then, to learn that Pavlidis has his fair share of admirers in England.
The prospect of Pavlidis being served up the sort of ammunition Michael Olise and Ebere Eze can provide will have Crystal Palace supporters drooling, while Fulham remain in the market for a number nine despite Raul Jimenez’s return to form in recent weeks.
West Ham, meanwhile, are looking to shift Danny Ings – HITC understands – with Michail Antonio no longer the force of old either. The Hammers have enjoyed real success when dipping into the Eredivisie market of late too.
Edson Alvarez and Mohamed Kudus have shone since joining from Ajax last summer.
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