Next month, players from many different nations from around the globe will represent their country at the World Cup in Russia. First and foremost, the desire will be there to win the tournament but the majority of stars and prospects will also see the competition as a platform to secure a lucrative move later in the transfer window. However, the Netherlands are one of the most highly-regarded teams to miss out and their talented players - young and old - will most likely be seen on a beach somewhere rather than glued to the television. Nevertheless, despite their absence, that is not to say that Dutch players will not be securing a switch to a bigger club, especially with Premier League clubs preparing to spend big once again.
Like punters do with all of the best bookmakers, teams will be looking for ways to get value for money and the general consensus is that paying a large fee to acquire the services of Matthijs de Ligt will represent good business. The centre-back does not turn 19 years of age until August but the Ajax youngster has already made 53 appearances in the first team having come through the club's academy system. That has also included outings in the Europa League - with the teenager starting last year's final against Manchester United - and five caps have already been won for the Oranje. Such has been De Ligt's development that Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have already been linked with the player and they appear willing to pay in excess of £40m for his signature.
Earlier in his career, Quincy Promes was tipped to move to one of European football's top leagues after impressing at Twente and Go Ahead Eagles but the 26-year-old has spent the last four years in Russia with Spartak Moscow. It appeared an unusual move at the time but the attacker has scored 64 goals from 126 appearances and only enhanced his reputation. Sooner rather than later, Promes will move on and with numerous Premier League clubs seemingly ready to make offers, it may only be a matter of time before the forward arrives in England. Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Southampton are all said to have held an interest in the player over the past year.
Another offensive-minded player to be linked with a move to England for a while is Justin Kluivert. The Ajax youngster is still finding his feet in senior football but Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is said to be an admirer of the player. There has been the suggestion that Justin and father and Dutch legend Patrick would prefer him to remain in the Eredivisie but with just over a year remaining on his contract, that appears unlikely. The 19-year-old has scored 12 times in 50 appearances for the Amsterdam outfit.
When Feyenoord won the league title in 2017, it was a collective effort but that team now faces the prospect of being broken up after the club failed to qualify for next season's Champions League. Giovanni van Bronckhorst will no doubt try to keep as many players as possible but midfielder Tonny Vilhena is someone who could look to take on a new challenge. The 23-year-old has just over one year remaining on his contract and having spent his entire youth and senior career with Feyenoord, it may be time to move on. The nine-capped Netherlands international would not be short of offers having scored 31 goals in 191 outings in all competitions.
Sven van Beek finds himself in a similar situation to teammate Vilhena. Earlier this season, Feyenoord showed faith in the player by adding another 12 months to his contract as he recovered from a foot injury but heading into the summer, that is the same time period that he has remaining on his deal. Van Beek lacks the star quality of Vilhena but for a team lower down in the Premier League, the defender could offer value for money. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a strong end to the campaign and English teams may be familiar with the centre-back after featuring for the full 90 minutes when Feyenoord lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the Champions League at the Etihad Stadium back in November.
