Aston Villa target wonderkid who looks up to Zlatan Ibrahimovic - and will look to emulate his 'idol'

Aston Villa have a clear target over the remainder of the season – to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

They can do that one of two ways. Either by finishing in the top four (or five) of the Premier League, or by winning the Europa League and qualifying for Europe’s premier club competition that way. Given that manager Unai Emery is somewhat of an expert in the latter competition, they will fancy their chances either way.

The Villans will then head into an important summer with multiple important players linked with moves away, from Emiliano Martinez to Ollie Watkins and even Morgan Rogers.

Bringing players in, therefore, will be crucial in persuading their top stars to commit their long-term future to Villa Park. The West Midlands club have been linked with a top wonderkid signing and may look to get ahead of the competition for a summer move.

Aston Villa linked with AZ Alkmaar wonderkid

According to reports by Sport Witness, Aston Villa have 18-year-old AZ Alkmaar striker Bendegúz Kovács on their radar and are thought to be preparing a summer swoop for the Hungarian youth international.

Kovács has been identified as a star of the future and has been targeted by Serie A giants Atalanta, according to reports from Italy, in addition to Villa, Borussia Dortmund and Sporting CP.

The 2007-born frontman signed on a free transfer from Ajax last summer and has yet to make his senior debut but has stolen headlines for his performance for AZ’s Under-19 and Under-21 sides. He is thought to be close to his first-team breakthrough but could instead be sold for €5million (£4.3m) this summer.

Kovács’ record of 29 goals in 31 matches for AZ’s youth teams this season has certainly caught the eye and suggested that he is a player worth investing in by a top European club this summer. Villa will hope that playing in the Premier League could give them the edge needed to secure a move.

Could Kovács follow in the footsteps of idol Zlatan Ibrahimovic?

Villa have struggled somewhat for attacking creativity and potency in front of goal in recent weeks and so forward signings should be a priority for the Villans as they look to usher in a new era if key players are soon to depart the club.

Kovács is no doubt raw and untested at present but for such a nominal fee the Birmingham outfit would be securing the services of a player who could at least fetch them a huge profit, even if he never makes the ultimate step up to being a first-team starter.

The teenager views legendary striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic as his ‘idol’ and is aiming to emulate the career heights of the Swede according to reports. Ibrahimovic starred in the Premier League in the latter years of his career for Manchester United and previously won numerous trophies with European super clubs such as Barcelona, AC Milan, Inter Milan and PSG. If Kovács has even half the career of his idol, Villa will be signing a player destined for greatness.