On the move: 5x U21 prospects moving to big clubs next season

The January 2021 transfer window has been one of the quietest we can remember. The effects of the pandemics have forced clubs to save money and play it safe with their recruitment, limiting it mostly to free transfers, loans or very low fees. 

But some clubs have decided to plan in the longer term and have already started looking for players for next season. In this tactical analysis, we’ll provide a scout report on five U21 players who have already secured a move to big clubs for next summer and see how they could adapt to their tactics and their potential to become top players and prove to be excellent signings.

Kluiverth Aguilar (17)  Alianza Lima to Man City

Kluiverth Aguilar is a 2003-born Peruvian defender who started his youth career at Sporting Cristal, joining Alianza Lima in 2019. He has played 27 matches for the first team both in the Peruvian league and the Copa Libertadores and has also represented Peru at U17, U20 and U23 levels despite being just 17.

Man City bought him for €2.5 million but he’s not expected to make an immediate impact in the first team so a loan or a spell at the club’s U23 squad seems the most likely situations next summer. In this scout report, we’ll see why the City Group has decided to make this investment in an underage Peruvian talent.

Aguilar is right-footed, stands at more than 180 cm and is well-built, very quick and powerful. Once he starts running he’s very difficult to stop and can make long efforts at maximum speed very often.

His main characteristic is his presence in the final third and the box. Aguilar is very energetic getting forward and can dribble past players when he has some space using his speed. He makes lots of very good crosses and passes to the box, amounting to 0.17 xA per 90, an excellent figure for a full back. He’s also a good dribbler in tighter spaces but it’s not his main strength.