Around a dozen European clubs including Barcelona, Chelsea and Newcastle are chasing Aussie teen sensation Garang Kuol, reports Nine.
The 17-year-old winger is reportedly “a near certainty” to leave A-League side Central Coast Mariners during the middle of the upcoming season.
Kuol has received offers from some clubs already and Newcastle is near the front of the queue, while Barcelona has recently spoken with Kuol and his team.
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He made a name for himself in the A-League All Stars’ clash with Barcelona back in May.
Not being 18 yet Kuol was unable to transfer during the most recent window but appears extremely likely to make the jump this January.
“I’m chilling, to be honest,” Kuol told the Nine papers.
“I’m just focusing on training and that. There’s really no effect. Nothing confirms anything, in terms of how I’ll go at any of those places, if I do go.
“It’s an important [decision] because it’s my stepping stone to life in Europe. I can’t go anywhere until January, so it gives me time to make a decision.”
Kuol’s brother Alou moved to the Bundesliga’s VfB Stuttgart in April 2021.
Mariners chairman Richard Peil told Nine: “There are top-level clubs across Europe that have expressed serious interest in Garang but, as always, we will respect Garang’s decision and his family’s decision of when and who he wants to be [with for] his next chapter in football.
“People forget he’s still 17. I know there are talented 17-year-olds around the world, so but there aren’t many talented 17-year-olds that come on and display the level of confidence that he displayed against Barcelona.
“That confidence, without arrogance, that he displays along with that talent is very unique, in my opinion. He’s got to keep his feet on the ground, and I’m sure that will happen – he’s got a good support network around him.”
Kuol has not yet even started an A-League game for the Mariners and could be considered for Australia’s World Cup squad later this year.
“He’s doing exceptionally well,” Socceroos boss Graham Arnold has said.
“We’ve got some good young kids, and they’ve just got to be given that opportunity. We’ll bring an extended squad into camp … but the problem is I’ve got to pick A-League players on reputation more than form because they’re not playing, and that puts them in a little bit of a difficulty.”
