Despite a good start to the season, AS Saint-Etienne must imperatively strengthen in the last hours of the transfer window. In addition to a central defender, in order to make up for the departure of Wesley Fofana, the Greens need a goalscorer in order to fuel great ambitions this season.
Chaining goals in Norway, Dane Philip Zinckernagel is the ideal track. Explanation with the expertise of Amund Lutnaes, Norwegian journalist for Eurosport.
In a sphere where the various actors of the mercato planet fuel rumors and speculations, 90min attempts to link the rational to the relevant, by offering attractive alternatives to clubs in search of reinforcements. Today, we are devoting our column to an opportunity for AS Saint-Etienne: Philip Zinckernagel.
“He is seen as one of the very best players in the league.”
– Amund lutnaes
19 games, 14 goals, 17 assists. These mind-blowing numbers are those of the Danish in Eliteserien, the elite of Norwegian football. A real goal machine, the right winger, able to evolve across the entire front of the attack, is at the zenith of his career, as we underline it. Amund lutnaes, Norwegian journalist for Eurosport :
“He had time to develop at Bodo-Glimt, a very balanced team where he has a key role, allowing him to express his qualities.”
Great architect of Bodo-Glimt’s stratospheric season, undisputed leader of the Norwegian championship with 53 points (out of 57 possible) and 67 goals scored, Zinckernagel is literally walking on water this season.
Bodø’s 2-0 victory against Vålerenga at the end of this 19th day
Junker and Zinckernagel goals
Bodø is 18 points ahead of new runner-up Rosenborg
11 days left pic.twitter.com/BLjLoQfakV
– Nordisk Norway (@EliteserienFr) September 27, 2020
“In Norway, praise is raining down for him. He has great ball technique, making it almost impossible to take the ball away from him, decrypts Lutnaes. He’s also a very smart player with an excellent passing game. Of course, he is seen as one of the very best players in the league. “
Since Bafetimbi Gomis, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and to a much lesser extent Max-Alain Gradel, the Greens are in shortage of scorers. Supposed to fill this gap, Loïs Diony disappointed and went into exile in Angers to revive, while the intermediaries of Bouanga, Nordin or Hamouma are not viable in the long term.
The recruitment of a versatile striker with the profile of Zinckernagel is therefore a necessity, at a time when the Stéphanois finally have the budget to recruit heavy, after the sales of Wesley Fofana, against a sum of 40 M € to Leicester, and that of Saliba for 30 M € to Arsenal.
Especially since the Norwegian club is willing to sell its Scandinavian striker:
“If there is a good offer, the club will sell it as soon as this transfer window.”
– Amund lutnaes
The Norwegian journalist believes, however, moderately to a departure: “There is little time left and he is at the end of his contract (next December 31, Editor’s note). It all depends on the offer “, he specifies. According to the latest echoes, the Turks of Fenerbahce insistently covet the Danish nugget.
The player has the arguments to win in Ligue 1: “If he is offered a well-defined role in a more upscale European club, he will be convinced and prove himself. Everything will depend on his will and his investment. That is why he must choose the right club.”
In an environment conducive to development and under the leadership of a manager like Claude Puel, known for advancing his players, the combination seems perfect.
Valued at only € 1 million and at the end of the contract at the end of the season, it is now or never to recruit him. With little financial risk, the Greens have everything to gain in this potential transaction.
ASSE could take inspiration from the Jens-Petter Hauge case. New Norwegian football diamond and Zinckernagel accomplice at Bodo-Glimt, where he formed one of the best duos in Scandinavia, the 20-year-old prodigy recently signed to AC Milan, for only € 5m.
It’s official, Jens Petter Hauge (20 years old – ??) is leaving his training club Bodø / Glimt for AC Milan ?? !
Only a few days after facing the club in the Europa League.
5 years of contract and it becomes the biggest sale in the history of Bodø for an amount of 5M €. https://t.co/E1aNkQy0Z1– Nordisk Football (@NordiskFootball) October 1, 2020
If AC Milan were convinced by a talent of the Norwegian league, like Red Bull Salzburg with Erling Haaland, or Real Madrid with Martin Odegaard before that, then why not ASSE?