With plenty of the Premier League's big boys looking to target a striker, one European frontman could be in line for a move to England, given his previous comments on the subject
Patrik Schick has already made clear his desire to play in the Premier League amid reported interest from some of England's top-tier clubs. The Bayer Leverkusen striker has enjoyed an impressive season, scoring 25 goals, 19 of which came in the Bundesliga.
The German side could only claim the DFL-Supercup for silverware as Bayern Munich became league champions once again. However, Schick's return to goal-scoring prowess could result in the 29-year-old earning a move abroad. The likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal have been linked to signing the striker after five years at Leverkusen.
The Czech international first cut his teeth in Germany during a loan spell with RB Leipzig in the 2019/20 season from Roma. It turned out to be a success with the striker netting 10 goals in 22 league games, with the side finishing third in the league and reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
It was during his stint at Leipzig that Schick revealed that while he had already realised his dream of playing in Italy, the opportunity to compete in England was one that he relished.
"When I left the Czech Republic, my dream was to play in Italy and I achieved that,' he told iSport.cz in 2020. "Now, I feel very attracted to England, to be honest. Leipzig was absolutely the right choice for my career. I had also talked to Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke here in Germany.
"In England, there were Everton and Crystal Palace, plus Valencia in Spain. I just felt that Leipzig wanted me more, and I was also attracted to the playing style of coach Julian Nagelsmann. I am sure that I made the right choice."
Should Schick decide to end his Leverkusen journey, he'll be joining his manager, Xabi Alonso, on the way out after the Spaniard announced his intention to depart the club at the end of the season.
With Carlo Ancelotti set to leave Real Madrid this summer, Alonso is reportedly in line to replace the Italian in what would be a return to his former club. "This week the club and I have agreed that these two games are going to be my last as Bayer Leverkusen coach," the ex-Liverpool midfielder said on Friday.
"It is not a moment to talk too much about the future because we want to have a proper farewell on Sunday here for some players, for myself, and it is the right moment to announce it. We have to enjoy this moment with mixed emotions.
"It is emotional, I spoke this morning with the players, the staff, so many people who have helped me during an unbelievable, fantastic three years. Now is a moment to share it with the fans in this stadium where I have lived great emotions and become what I am right now."