Zakaria Bakkali (born 26 January 1996) is a Belgian footballer of Moroccan descent who currently plays for the Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. He has also been selected for the Belgium national football team. He is most famous for becoming the youngest Eredivisie of all-time to score a hat-trick, at the age of 17 years and 196 days.
He tends to play as a winger, but is effective in the hole, stats for this season is 4 goals in 20 apps, so 20% goal return for his first season on the wing. During his brief International career to date, he has played in the Belgium team at each level, making only recent senior appearance. Prior to this, he had a 1 goal in 2 game over the 20 games he played for U-17/U-20 level.
It would seem Liverpool & Real Madrid are the clubs mainly linked, but I'd love us to go for him.
Liverpool preparing bid to beat Arsenal and Real Madrid to PSV starlet Zakaria Bakkali (Article Below)
He tends to play as a winger, but is effective in the hole, stats for this season is 4 goals in 20 apps, so 20% goal return for his first season on the wing. During his brief International career to date, he has played in the Belgium team at each level, making only recent senior appearance. Prior to this, he had a 1 goal in 2 game over the 20 games he played for U-17/U-20 level.
It would seem Liverpool & Real Madrid are the clubs mainly linked, but I'd love us to go for him.
Liverpool preparing bid to beat Arsenal and Real Madrid to PSV starlet Zakaria Bakkali (Article Below)
Reports in Holland suggest that Liverpool are serious suitors for the 18-year-old and may now lead the race to sign Bakkali.
Bakkali is stalling over signing a new contract at PSV and the Dutch club are growing increasingly concerned that they may lose another prospect at the end of the season.
PSV are furiously trying to convince Bakkali's aunt and uncle - who act as his agents - that his development will be better served by staying put but a host of big clubs, including Liverpool, Real Madrid and Arsenal, beg to differ.
PSV's case has not been strengthen by Bakkali's lack of regular playing time this season and the wonderkid has made just seven starts in the Eredivisie this term.
However, it is thought that Brendan Rodgers has sent scouts to watch Bakkali on several occasions and has been impressed with the reports he has received.
Reports last month suggested that Arsenal were also very keen on Bakkali.
An unnamed PSV source told Dutch media: "Bakkali is a player that Wenger rates highly.
"Arsenal have kept an eye on him and are aware that other teams want him, so could move in the summer to buy him."
Indeed, it seems Liverpool may now be on the verge of stealing the young talent away from their London rivals.
Bakkali is stalling over signing a new contract at PSV and the Dutch club are growing increasingly concerned that they may lose another prospect at the end of the season.
PSV are furiously trying to convince Bakkali's aunt and uncle - who act as his agents - that his development will be better served by staying put but a host of big clubs, including Liverpool, Real Madrid and Arsenal, beg to differ.
PSV's case has not been strengthen by Bakkali's lack of regular playing time this season and the wonderkid has made just seven starts in the Eredivisie this term.
However, it is thought that Brendan Rodgers has sent scouts to watch Bakkali on several occasions and has been impressed with the reports he has received.
Reports last month suggested that Arsenal were also very keen on Bakkali.
An unnamed PSV source told Dutch media: "Bakkali is a player that Wenger rates highly.
"Arsenal have kept an eye on him and are aware that other teams want him, so could move in the summer to buy him."
Indeed, it seems Liverpool may now be on the verge of stealing the young talent away from their London rivals.
Nailed on future star then