The UEFA European Under-21 Championship will be decided this weekend when Germany and England meet in the final.
Europe’s best youngsters have been on show in Slovakia this summer with several in the shop window. A number of names have been heavily linked with transfers in the current window and interest might just have rocketed after strong tournaments.
Five stars of the u-21 Euros set for summer transfers
Nick Woltemade (Germany)
Nick Woltemade has been the player of the tournament for a Germany side who have impressed to reach the final. Head and shoulders above the competition, both literally and figuratively, the 6ft 6in striker has had a European Championship to remember.
Woltemade has scored six times and created three more in just four appearances, leading the tournament for both goals and assists. After a breakout season at Stuttgart that brought 17 goals in all competitions, the interest in Woltemade is high.
🇩🇪 Nick Woltemade 2024/25 for VfB Stuttgart:
🏟️ 33 Games
⚽ 17 Goals
🎯 3 Assists
🇩🇪 Nick Woltemade 2024/25 for Germany U21:
🏟️ 10 Games
⚽ 11 Goals
🎯 7 Assists
28 goals and 10 assists during current season for Club and Country. One more final game at U21 Euro against… pic.twitter.com/ocVU7UP9Mv
— Pro Future Stars (@ProFutureStars1) June 25, 2025
Far from an orthodox target-man, the 23-year-old is graceful in possession, boasts a desire to take on defenders, and ghosts unmarked into dangerous areas. Such has been his level, Real Madrid have this week been named as the latest side to be weighing up a move.
Harvey Elliott (England)
Harvey Elliott’s future at Liverpool is unclear with the midfielder having admitted he may need to move on for the sake of his career. Elliott started just two games in the Premier League last season, a meagre total based on his talent and performances this summer.
The 22-year-old has been a driving force in England’s run to the final, scoring four times, including a match-winning brace in the semi-final against the Netherlands. His second goal was a moment of magic, drifting past several Dutch challenges before firing in from the edge of the area. The quality is clear, but Elliott needs a chance to showcase it regularly. His list of suitors is likely to have lengthened.
1 – In yesterday’s 2-1 win over the Netherlands, Harvey Elliott was the first England player Opta has on record to have 5+ shots (7), 10+ touches in the opposition box (10) and win possession 5+ times (6) in a UEFA Under-21 EURO match. Omnipresent. pic.twitter.com/IYZ1JldXEC
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 26, 2025
Jorell Hato (Netherlands)
Regarded as one of the best prospects to have emerged from Ajax’s fabled academy in recent years, Jorell Hato is on the radar of Europe’s top teams. The 19-year-old has already racked up over a century of games for Ajax and was a crucial part of the Netherlands’ run to the semi-finals this summer.
After helping the Dutch to a clean sheet against Ukraine, Hato was a standout in the quarter-final win over a talented Portugal team. He made eight clearances, blocked two shots, and won five defensive duels in the 1-0 win, as the 10-man Netherlands battled to victory despite Ruben van Bommel’s 21st-minute red card.
🇳🇱⭐️ | 𝐉𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐥 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐨 (𝟏𝟗) vs Portugal U21
• 8 Clearances
• 2 Shots Blocked
• 4 Interceptions
• 3 Tackles
• 91% Pass Accuracy
• 100% Aerial Duels Won, 2/2
• 3/7 Ground Duels Won
𝐅𝐔𝐂**** 𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑. pic.twitter.com/sqI2e4iyM7
— Rising Stars XI (@RisingStarXI) June 21, 2025
William Osula (Denmark)
William Osula spent much of his first season at Newcastle on the sidelines and has relished the chance of regular football this summer. Osula was excellent as Denmark impressed in the group stage, scoring three times and providing two assists.
He was unable to influence the quarter-final defeat to France but left Slovakia with his reputation enhanced. Expect loan enquiries for the 21-year-old this summer.
Two more goals for William Osula 🇩🇰#U21EURO pic.twitter.com/BXg9zuVTAS
— UEFA Men’s Youth (@UEFAMensYouth) June 16, 2025
Lucien Agoume — France
Among the more experienced players on show, Lucien Agoume has performed with maturity in the France midfield.
France have a long history of quality midfield anchors and Agoume is from the same ilk. He screened the backline impressively until a semi-final exit for the French, adding admirers to a list that reportedly includes Arsenal, Spurs and other Premier League sides.
Midfield partner Djaoui Cisse has also caught the eye, scoring three times. The 6ft 2in star only earned his first call-up ahead of the tournament after breaking into the Rennes team over the second half of last season. The 21-year-old is one to watch.
Read – Five who played for both: Juventus and Manchester City
See more – Five Bundesliga players Premier League clubs should be interested in this summer
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