Given the nation's lofty standing in the history of international football, the domestic top flight in the Netherlands has always been a hotbed of talent, exporting the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie over the years to all go on to have hugely successful careers, while recent departures Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs De Ligt have quickly become key players in two of the world's strongest sides in Barcelona and Juventus respectively, having both been poached following Ajax's eye-catching run to the Champions League semi-finals in the 2018/19 season.

Continuously, clubs from the top leagues across Europe have benefitted from dipping into the Eredivisie for new signings, just as punters can benefit from great bonuses on betting sites UK, and here Sports Mole takes a look at three of the stars that will be on the shortlists of the world's elite sides.

In somewhat of a breakout season for the 22-year-old, PSV Eindhoven forward Donyell Malen hit 19 goals and eight assists in 32 appearances in the Dutch top flight, while helping his side hugely in the Europa League with five goals and an assist in eight games.

The former Arsenal academy player has shown immense pace and skill on the ball, regularly combining with teammates in exciting attacks and often being the man to finish them off with a goal, earning himself a call up for the national team for Euro 2020 as a result, in which he registered two assists in just 149 minutes on the pitch.

Malen has undoubtedly become one of the key men for PSV, and they will do well to keep him past this summer given his excellent performances over the last calendar year.

AZ Alkmaar would be equally pleased to keep hold of their crucial midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, having brought through an exciting crop of players in the last couple of years, leading the side to a strong third-placed finish in the Eredivisie last season.

Despite his tender age of 23, the Netherlands international has set an immense example for his side, dominating the majority of games from the centre with well-rounded performances, shown in his excellent numbers with 15 goals and five assists in 31 games, while a closer look shows he is constantly involved in all aspects of the game.

With almost three tackles per Eredivisie game and more than one interception, Koopmeiners has shielded the AZ defence expertly, while also being a major part of their attacking play with an average of one key pass and almost two shots per game, leading to his eye-catching goal tally.

Another centre-midfielder who set the Eredivisie alight last season was Ajax starlet Ryan Gravenberch, who announced himself on the continental scene with a stellar campaign for the champions, featuring in 32 of their 34 league games, only missing out on two matches due to a period of self-isolation following a positive coronavirus test.

Having only just turned 19, Gravenberch has played over and above his years with many rounded performances, marrying three tackles and interceptions per game with an average of more than one key pass and almost two shots per match, seeing him finish with an impressive tally of three goals and five assists in league action as a result.

Having already won seven caps for his national team, the midfielder looks set to be a crucial man for the Oranje for many years to come, and could be lined up for a big move should one of Europe's elite clubs look to add a dynamic box-to-box midfield option to their ranks.