sport news 10 young stars who could be on the move during the summer window

The summer transfer window is nearly open and clubs right across Europe are poised to strengthen or trim back their squads.

Those with long-term visions will seek to draft in some of the talented youngsters emerging around the continent.

We look at 10 players aged 21 or under who could be on the move over the summer.

Matthijs de Ligt

19, Ajax, central defender

Almost certainly the hottest property in European football right now, De Ligt has shown maturity well beyond his years in captaining Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals.

The 19-year-old won the prestigious Golden Boy award back in December and has not only inspired Ajax but formed a formidable central defensive pairing alongside Virgil van Dijk in the Holland side.

Barcelona are poised to become the next beneficiaries of De Ligt's class with his salary reportedly agreed, though the three-month suspension handed to his agent Mino Raiola could delay matters.

Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt celebrates following their victory over Utrecht last weekend

Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt celebrates following their victory over Utrecht last weekend

Houssem Aouar

20, Lyon, midfielder

If a certain Pep Guardiola describes you as 'incredible', waxing lyrical on your 'excellent technical quality', then you must be doing something right.

That was versatile France under-21 midfielder Aouar after he impressed for Lyon against Manchester City in the Champions League group stage.

Indeed, he must have caught City's eye as he has been linked with a summer move there, with Liverpool also keen.

Lyon's Houssem Aouar caught the eye of Pep Guardiola and could be on his way to Man City

Lyon's Houssem Aouar caught the eye of Pep Guardiola and could be on his way to Man City

Joao Felix

19, Benfica, attacking midfielder

There's so much buzz around Portuguese whizzkid Felix - considered in some quarters as Cristiano Ronaldo's heir apparent - that it's almost deafening.

Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester City are but four of the European heavyweights with a paddle at the Felix auction, with the bidding starting at £105m.

What's amusing is that the teenager came to Benfica from rivals Porto aged 15 after they decided he was too small and too skinny. A costly mistake.

Benfica's wonderkid Joao Felix is valued at £105m and is wanted by most of Europe's elite

Benfica's wonderkid Joao Felix is valued at £105m and is wanted by most of Europe's elite

Alexis Claude-Maurice

20, Lorient, attacking midfielder

Having unearthed a gem from French Ligue 2 club Lorient in the form of Matteo Guendouzi last summer, Arsenal may well return for exciting playmaker Claude-Maurice.

He has scored 14 goals in France's second division this season and could easily prove a snip with Lorient demanding around €10m for him.

But Arsenal could face competition from Borussia Monchengladbach, Monaco and Eintracht Frankfurt, who could well offer 20-year-old Claude-Maurice more game time.

Lorient's Alexis Claude-Maurice on the ball during a French League Cup tie this season

Lorient's Alexis Claude-Maurice on the ball during a French League Cup tie this season

Luka Jovic

21, Eintracht Frankfurt, striker

With 17 goals in the Bundesliga and 10 in the Europa League, breakthrough seasons

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