The highly-rated youngster has shown a sign of intention to be transferred by rejecting a recently offered contract extension at current club PSV Eindhoven.
The 18-year-old’s decision to turn down the new contract has resulted in manager Phillip Cocu demoting him to the Under-21’s.
Bakkali appeared on 16 occasions during the last campaign for the Dutch side, netting three goals; but hasn’t been used at all in PSV’s opening 10 matches.
The Belgian’s certain desire to leave the Eredivisie and move abroad is likely to consequent in Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal all battling it out for his worthy siganture either in the upcoming January transfer window, or later in the summer.
Despite the major attraction from the Premier League quartet, there is also noticable amount of interest evident outside of England, with Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan also keen on the 18-year-old.
Bakkali’s rise to prominence has not gone unnoticed by national team coach Marc Wilmots, who awarded the youngster with his first international cap earlier this year.
Bakkali is now a big part in Belgium’s recently dubbed ‘golden generation’, and has been tipped to emulate some of the celebrated names in the national team such as Eden Hazard, Kevin Mirallas and Dries Mertens.
By Ollie Carroll
Twitter: @Ollie_Carroll_
