While one in-form centre-forward has opened the door to a move to the Premier League this summer – West Ham United, Fulham and Crystal Palace among the interested suitors – his potential replacement is a little less certain about what the future may hold.
HITC reported a few months back that there was interest in three London-based clubs for a man who ended up sharing the Golden Boot after an exceptional 2023/24 campaign.
There were 29 Eredivisie goals for AZ Alkmaar talisman Vangelis Pavlidis – level with PSV Eindhoven captain Luuk de Jong – and 33 in all competitions.
“You never know in football, but it could be that this was my last (game) as an AZ player,” a delighted and emotional Pavlidis told Algemeen Dagblad. “It is certain that I have enormous respect for the club and for the fans. They have always been good to me, even today.
“That is fantastic to experience.”
Tottenham loanee could replace West Ham target
If the £15 million-rated Pavlidis does depart – as looks likely – he will go out a hero.
You could say the same of his potential successor, assuming Excelsior’s Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott produces another superhuman effort in the first leg of their relegation play-off final against NAC Breda on Tuesday night.
Until heading to the Netherlands, Parrott looked in danger of becoming one of those forgotten talents who’s pre-season promise never really translated into the competitive game.
Now, five seasons on from those eye-catching displays during the summer of 2019 – former Spurs coach David Pleat drawing comparisons with a young Harry Kane in The Athletic – the Dublin-born Parrott is making his mark in league football for the first time.
Well, in truth, he’s more than making his mark. A first club hat-trick during Excelsior’s 7-1 hammering of ADO Den Haag in the relegation play-off semi-finals took his tally to the campaign to 13. It also earned him not only him a special place in the heart of Excelsior supporters, but a place on AZ’s post-Pavlidis wishlist.
“I don’t know exactly what will happen. I have two more matches here and then maybe international matches (with the Republic of Ireland),,” Parrott tells Voetbal Primeur.
“But I’m looking forward to next season.”
Troy Parrott could stay in Eredivisie if he leaves Spurs
Still only 22 years of age, Parrott’s career is still at the embryonic stage. Could there still be a chance awaiting him at Tottenham Hotspur, a side short of centre-forward options and operating under a coach who has few qualms about putting his faith in youth?
If Parrott was not already contracted to Spurs, a young Brit scoring goals at an impressive rate abroad would surely be attracting admiring glances from Premier League clubs.
“I’ve always wanted (to play for Tottenham),” Parrott adds. “Ever since I came to the UK as a boy.”
Failing that, however, there could be another exciting opportunity awaiting him at an AZ Alkmaar side who will be playing Europa League football in 2024/25.
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