Three Underrated Signings The European Outfits Should Sign

In today’s era of non-stop transfer rumours and gossip, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of transfer saga’s and multimillion-pound deals for global superstars.

With reports of club-record fees for some of the most world-renowned players, sometimes when deals go through for players that do not have a massive reputation and name, many fans are sceptical as to whether the signing will make a big impact for their club.

A recent prime example is the signing of Daniel James for Manchester United. James joined United from Swansea for the relatively cheap £15.3m, a very small price in this day and age.

Many people saw James as being just a squad player, unlikely to start many matches for the Red Devils. This has been far from the truth though, with the Welsh winger making over 37 appearances in all competitions for United this season, showing that the size of the price and worldwide reputations don’t always matter.

We’ve looked at some players who have been an unsung hero for their team in some respects and who may even be available on the cheap. Whether it be Arsenal in their pursuit to return to the Champions League, or to be signed as part of Newcastle United's newly found fortune.

After bursting onto the scene last season, Dwight McNeil has been a mainstay in the Burnley lineup. The Englishman has played in every league game for Sean Dyche’s side this season, excelling on the left wing and being one of Burnley’s most creative outlets.

McNeil's pace and technique has seen him be a star player in some of Burnley’s biggest wins, seeing them become an underdog in the race for European qualification. They currently sit nine points off the top-four, a point behind Arsenal and two behind Tottenham Hotspur and have very much gone under the radar this campaign once again.

The winger that joined the Clarets from United’s youth system in 2014 is still only 20-years-old and has bags of potential, whilst still showing what he can bring to any club right now through his Burnley performances, that have already seen him being linked with a number of clubs.

McNeil’s current Burnley contract runs until 2023 with an option of a further year so the Lancashire outfit may demand more than the estimated market value of McNeil, which is currently reportedly around the £16m mark. The winger would still be a smart addition to any Premier League club, though, as he continues to improve following magnificent performances this season.

Another young prospect whose performances have impressed this season is Norwich City’s Todd Cantwell. The 22-year-old winger has shined despite an unpleasant season for the Canaries that sees them rock-bottom of the league.

Cantwell, however, has been a standout player at Carrow Road, using his superb technical ability and intelligence to gracefully perform as a star player for Daniel Farke’s side. Cantwell has also proved he can cut it against the Premier League big boys, with impressives performance that have seen him tuck away goals against Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

With a lot of credit being heaped on Norwich talisman Teemu Pukki, the performances of the homegrown Cantwell may be overlooked by anyone who isn’t a City supporter. Perhaps even Gareth Southgate has been keeping an eye on the young star with Euro 2021 next year coming up.

With Norwich’s time in the Premier League looking increasingly doomed as days go by, big offers for some of their stars such as Cantwell could be reluctantly accepted by the board, following a return to the Championship.

There are scarce rumours of clubs such as Newcastle and the Red Devils potentially being prepared to offer around £30million for the playmaker in the summer, which could be a bargain, especially in the current market of this day and age, for a young player that posses the talent of Cantwell.

Speaking of talent at Norwich that could be offloaded if they are to be relegated, Emi Buendia is certainly one clubs should be looking at. With Pukki and possibly Cantwell being the most talked about, Argentinian playmaker Buendia’s performances certainly go under the radar.

The 23-year-old that has played mostly on the right-wing for Norwich, and can also play in the middle as an attacking midfielder, deserves credit for what has been an exciting display from the former Getafe man despite results not going his team’s way as they find themselves at the foot of the table.

His talent is highlighted in the stats, with Buendia making seven assists for his team in the league this season, a stat only bettered by Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold. Furthermore, Wilfried Zaha and Adama Traore are the only Premier League players to have completed more successful dribbles in the 2019/20 season.

The 5ft 8 technician cost only Norwich £2.25million back in 2018, and his value has surely increased dramatically since then, providing a tidy profit for the Canaries if they decide to cash in on him next summer.

By Jordan Edmonds