Berisha had trials with Chelsea, Manchester City and Aston Villa as a youngster but could he finally move to England with Newcastle United?
Valon Berisha remained a Red Bull Salzburg player after the close of the transfer window despite late interest from the Premier League. According to The Sun (Live blog, 31st August, 4.06pm) both Newcastle United and Leicester City were chasing the Kosovan international, who was reportedly valued at around £12 million.
The 24-year-old, who switched his international allegiance from Norway to Kosovo in 2016, was once viewed as one of the most exciting prospects in Scandinavian football and was a target for Premier League clubs even before he was out of his teens.
“Valon Berisha could have moved to almost every league club in England, but he would have gone straight to their academy, where nine out of ten players do not even reach the first team,” influential agent Rune Hauge told Stavanger Aftenblad after Berisha enjoyed trials with Chelsea, Manchester City and Aston Villa between the ages of 14 and 15.
Ten years on, however, you wonder whether the time is right for Berisha, who has been likened to Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, to finally make the move to England. Salzburg is seen as a launchpad for talented, under-the-radar youngsters like Naby Keita to kick-start their careers but Berisha is now in his sixth season with the perennial Austrian champions.
A creative left winger, Berisha scored eight goals in all competitions last season and would provide Rafael Benitez with further attacking intent on the flanks.
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