La Liga champions Atletico Madrid are set to beat a host of Premier League big guns to the sigining of young Belgian Zakaria Bakkali.
According to reports the winger has opted to join the Champions League runners up ahead of Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Man United. Liverpool in particular were strongly linked to the 18-year-old, dubbed the ‘new Eden Hazard’.
Starsport reported back in October how the Premier League’s biggest clubs were looking at the Belgian winger.
He was then 17 and laws in Holland prevent young players signing contracts until they are 18.
Bakkali subsequently signed a deal at PSV, which expires in 2015, but it’s understood he’s unhappy at the Dutch giants which has prompted his switch to the Spanish capital.
Bakkali announced himself on the scene last season when he netted on his Champions League debut against Zulte Waregem.
The left-sided wing wonder followed that by netting a Eredivisie hat-trick against NEC.
He made his Belgium debut in 2013 but failed to make their World Cup squad.
By Ben Kelly
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