Europe on alert for Denmark’s Mikkel Damsgaard as Sampdoria welcome “big offer”
Europe’s biggest clubs have been alerted to the possibility of signing Euro 2020 star Mikkel Damsgaard this summer following comments by Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero.
Denmark were knocked out of the tournament in the semi-finals on Wednesday following a 2-1 defeat by England at Wembley.
But while Denmark won’t be competing in Sunday’s final against Italy due to Simon Kjaer’s own goal and Harry Kane’s rebound from a penalty in extra time, Damsgaard could be about to discover a silver lining to the defeat.
Damsgaard opened the scoring with a stunning 30-yard free-kick on Wednesday and has undoubtedly been one of the stars of Euro 2020.
The 21-year-old came into the tournament with few expectations, but has stepped up wonderfully since Christian Eriksen collapsed in Denmark’s opening game.
Damsgaard scored an eye-catching long-range opener in the 4-1 win over Russia and picked up an assist against Wales before becoming the first player to breach England’s defence on Wednesday.
The attacking midfielder only joined Sampdoria from Danish side Nordsjælland in August 2020 for £5.8million and the Italian club are keen to keep hold of him.
“I expected him to be this good at the European Championship,” Ferrero said at a press conference on Tuesday.
“But he is not for sale. Either they bring a big offer that makes [sporting director Carlo] Osti excited, or he won’t be sold.
Which club should be looking into signing Mikkel Damsgaard this summer? Have your say in the comments section below.
“It’s no longer the same as before when one offer arrived, and we would sell the player.
“Now we want to make another stand. We want to keep the footballer, we want to enjoy him.”
Leicester City have recently been linked with a move for Damsgaard, while the likes of AC Milan, Liverpool and Tottenham have all shown interest in the past.
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that Sampdoria value him at around £34m (€40m) and Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand is in no doubt he is worth every penny.
“Mikkel is one step ahead, just one or two seconds quicker in his head [than other players],” he said.
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“He makes it look as if he has just a little more time than others, and he has always been that way.
“He has always had an incredibly quick awareness of time, space and movement around him.
“He binds these things together and he creates chances with his small passes. He has also become a bit quicker than he was a year ago and when he grows a bit more and gets more intensity into his body we will see a real top player.”
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