We use Hudl Wyscout to pick out of some of the best less-heralded moves from around the world.
Tall, robust and technically sound, Stanković very much fits the description of an iron fist in a velvet glove. A glance at his video demonstrates his reading of the game, leadership qualities and ability to break up play. Going forward, he also possesses excellent long range passing and boasts a threat from dead ball situations too.
Stanković is young, but also simultaneously a bit old-school, physically strong, and brings balance. He also has a nice long pass for switching play, takes set pieces well, and is strong in the air. Inter has secured both a percentage of any resale and a buy-back option—who knows, maybe in a year or two they’ll have to pay to bring him back…
Álvaro Montoro (Vélez Sarsfield to Botafogo)
Reigning CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo had a busy window, losing key players such as Igor Jesus, Thiago Almada and Jair Cunha. They responded with multiple high profile incomings to mitigate these outgoings, but it’s a lesser proven young talent that catches the eye.
18-year-old Argentinian winger Álvaro Montoro arrived from Vélez Sarsfield for a reported €7.9 million - a not insignificant fee, but certainly nowhere near the amounts spent on fellow South American teen talents Franco Mastantuono and Estêvão.
Watching footage of Montoro on Hudl Wyscout, what immediately stands out is his long slung dribbling ability and exceptional close control. Equally excellent when isolating defenders in 1-v-1 situations or jinking his way out of tight situations, the fearless Montoro unsurprisingly ranks highly for dribbles per 90 and dribble success rate.
Importantly, the nimble left winger has backed it up with end product. Three goals and one assist in 147 minutes of Libertadores football for Vélez points to his ability to make an immediate impact in senior football.
The fact that Montoro’s move has occurred within South America, rather than further afield, meant that the departure of one of Argentina’s most talented youngsters went under the radar. But it also points to a wider trend of Brazilian clubs' ability and willingness to pluck the best talent from their historic rivals at an earlier age.
Roughly six months in the Vélez first team was enough evidence for Botafogo to flex their far superior buying power to secure Montoro – the latest example highlighting the financial gulf between the nations. While for Argentinian youngsters, Brazil is increasingly seen as a viable step up in terms of profile, wages, and chance of continental success.
There was a time when Argentine clubs need only worry about European clubs swooping for top talent but once again Brazil's financial muscle has pulled a potential star away from Vélez Sarsfield. The 18-year-old playmaker has made a promising start with Botafogo and can now look to help the Fogão in the defence of their Brasileirão crown.
Junnosuke Suzuki (Shonan Bellmare to FC København)
Scouts opened their eyes up to the J1 League some time ago and a steady flow of Japanese talents now make their way to Europe each window.
The Belgian Pro League continues to be a particularly popular first landing spot, with Taishi Brandon Nozawa, Taiga Hata, Kaito Matsuzawa, and Isa Sakamoto the latest exports. But starting to challenge that position is the Danish Superliga.
“Danish clubs continue to be actively scouting the Japanese leagues,” explains Scandinavian football expert Steve Wyss. “For example, Brondby signed Yuito Suzuki from Shimizu S-Pulse for just £600k two years ago and sold him this summer to German Bundesliga side Freiburg for a fee close to £10m. So, it’s clear how lucrative it can be acquiring players from that region of Asia.”
Unsurprisingly, Brondby have gone back to the well, bringing in Shō Fukuda and Kotaro Uchino – the latter particularly interesting given he came straight from Tsukuba University, skipping the J1 League entirely.
Reigning Superliga champions FC Kobenhavn have also taken note of their cross-town rivals and promptly brought 22-year-old centre back Junnosuke Suzuki to the Danish capital for just over €1 million.
Already a full international with 60-odd games experience under his belt for Shonan Bellmare, Suzuki has typically been deployed on the left side of a back three and becomes the first Japanese player to represent Byens Hold.
Watching his performances on Hudl Wyscout, he stands out for his proactive approach, recovery pace, positioning and ability to progress the ball forward, both through passing and with the ball at feet – no doubt a product of his time playing in midfield.
Aside from Chema’s qualities, the transfer represents one part of a larger strategic approach from Stuttgart. As well as the aforementioned Jovanović, they also signed Noah Darvich from Barcelona’s academy. Poaching two elite prospects from Spain’s two biggest clubs is not a coincidence.
By offering young players guaranteed first team football under the guidance of highly-rated Sebastian Hoeneẞ, Stuttgart have secured talents who can immediately contribute, for low fees, with the potential to develop and accrue value.
In order for this strategy to succeed, it requires comprehensive scouting of youth tournaments to identify and monitor the game’s next stars, before their price becomes out of reach or another club swoops in for them. The Wyscout Youth Pack provides this coverage, with over 190 competitions from across the world, ensuring you don’t miss breakthrough talent.
Modou Kéba Cissé (LASK to Aston Villa)
You could be forgiven for missing Cissé’s transfer, lost in the noise of the always active Premier League market. Aston Villa’s transfer window got off to a slow start, but one of the first arrivals was the Senegalese defender, joining from Austrian Bundesliga side LASK for €5 million, before returning on loan for the season.
The recently turned 20-year-old is a rangy centre back whose long strides quickly eat up the ground in front of him. When checking the video, Cissé’s aerial ability, front-foot approach, and long diagonal balls jump out. Though still raw, he possesses the recovery pace to get himself out of trouble and has the traits you’d want in a young defender.
As well as part of a wider strategy from Aston Villa’s President of Football Operations, Monchi, in identifying young talent from diverse leagues – see fellow defensive recruits Yeimar Mosquera from Colombia and Yasin Özcan from Turkey – Cissé is a prime example of how young African talent can be spotted and quickly ascend to the top European leagues.
Originally spotted by Spanish fourth tier side Real Ávila in a youth tournament in Senegal, where he was playing for Be Sport Academy, Cissé was then signed by LASK less than six months later. And only a year later, Aston Villa acquired him. From Senegal to the Premier League in 18 months.
This trend can be seen elsewhere, with West Ham’s purchase of El Hadji Malick Diouf, who came through the tried and tested route of Scandinavia, before moving to Czech side Slavia Prague, and then to the Hammers – all within two and a half years.
The progression of Cissé and Diouf are reflective of the talent in Africa – and the importance of having visibility of it – but also the value in scouting regions such as Belgium, Austria, Czechia, and Scandinavia for prospects making their first steps in European football.
Ready to transform your recruitment process? Find out more about how to use Hudl Wyscout for your scouting, recruitment, and talent evaluation workflows here.