As a new transfer window draws to a close, many South American players have found an opportunity in a foreign league outside CONMEBOL. To give just a few examples, we can mention Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Angelo Gabriel (Chelsea), Matheus França (Crystal Palace), Santiago Mouriño (Atlético de Madrid), Óscar Cortés (Lens), Vitor Roque (FC Barcelona), Santiago Hezze (Olympiacos), Ignacio Miramón (Lille) and many others.
In this text, we are not going to discover players who are already excelling in top South American clubs, such as Victor Hugo or Wesley (Flamengo), Lucas Beraldo (Sao Paulo) or Federico Redondo (Argentinos Juniors), who are already beginning to be the protagonists of transfers to big clubs. In the following list we are going to highlight talents who will soon follow in their footsteps, surely for the next transfer market, in December or in 2024, due to the physical, technical or tactical potential recently demonstrated.
Jhon Solis - Atletico Nacional - Colombia - 700k market value
We begin this series of recommendations and findings by certifying what the data says. Jhon Solis is close to a move to one of Europe's big five leagues, and has done so by excelling in all metrics in the Colombian league with Atletico Nacional. A player with a large wingspan, ready to be able to measure himself physically in certain game situations while, more or less quickly, evolving in other areas of the game that will require more precision to make a similar impact in a top league. A very complete midfielder, who can contain and contribute both defensively and in the box.
Gabriel Moscardo - Corinthians - 1.5M euros market value
One of those young talents who immediately catches the eye. At 17 years old, Moscardo plays with a personality unbefitting of his age in the ranks of a Brazilian giants and with an innate talent for winning duels (more than 16 duels won per 90′), among the best midfielders in Brazil. Defensive midfielder who always tries to play forward, at a high tempo, which leads to escaping from his mark, breaking lines of pressure with ease, in exchange for losing precision. If we only talk about potential, seeing also his physique (185 centimetres) plus the aforementioned personality, there are serious possibilities to see him in Europe in the next transfer market.
Oscar Zambrano - LDU Quito - Ecuador - €1.5M market value
Player with a great ability for anticipation, stealing and tackling, remarkable in duels and very sticky and aggressive defending transitions or intercepting passes between lines. On the ball, accurate if he has time but does not play at the same speed and could struggle with the change of rhythm between Ecuador and other leagues. Profile with great room for improvement and defensive attributes suitable to find an opportunity in bigger leagues.
Miguel Monsalve - Millonarios - Colombia - 950k market value
One of Colombia's star performers at both the South American Championship and the U-20 World Cup a few months ago, Monsalve is a mobile playmaker with a knack for filtering balls and turning possessions into dangerous attacks, with great sensitivity and talent for the final pass or the imaginative touch in front of goal, while also protecting the ball very well. Among his main shortcomings is his physicality. Monsalve is somewhat slow and not very agile to withstand high tempo. A potential destination could be in more powerful CONMEBOL leagues.
Johan Rojas - La Equidad - Colombia - 350k market value
Johan Rojas appears to be one of the highest rated players in the Colombian league according to our parameters. Seen on video, Rojas is a very attacking playmaker, who starts on the wing but with an inside game and the ability to link up, set up the shot and find creative solutions in the final metres, thanks to his good ball handling, feints and quick feints. His 180 centimetres make him even more interesting for nearby higher level leagues.
Agustin Giay - San Lorenzo - Argentina - 4.5M market value
Agustin Giay is a very interesting option from a tactical point of view. The Argentinian, who has already been called up to the national youth team, is a classic winger, with a box-to-box route and the power to get forward as a winger. He also has a great defensive character in one-on-one situations, aggressive and focused. A profile that in recent years has been very popular in European teams of varying level and economic capacity that play with three central defenders. In his 1500 minutes played last season he managed to complete 43% of crosses, a figure well above the top 10% of all full-backs in that metric.
Óscar Perea - Atlético Nacional - Colombia - €1.5M market value
Atlético Nacional's other big young talent is Óscar Perea, a player more focused on the final third, very agile on the turn and change of direction for dribbling and ball control. A playmaker who finishes a lot of plays in the box, with goal and quality to generate many chances. Good at receiving between the lines and a lot of personality to take responsibility for opening up the opposition if the game gets stuck.
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