Player Talent Scout: Marash Kumbulla

With European football on lockdown, the transfer rumour mill shows no sign of slowing down and one name that keeps cropping up for a big move is Hellas Verona’s Albanian central defender Marash Kumbulla.

Born in Italy to Albanian parents, Kumbulla made just one appearance in Serie B last season as Verona won promotion back to Serie A at the first time of asking.

This season he has been a regular as I Gialloblu have enjoyed a strong return to the summit of Italian Football, sitting in a respectable 8th position when the league was postponed.

A big reason for the successful season so far is their defensive record. Verona have conceded just 26 goals, the fourth best record in the league with only the three title chasing sides Juve, Inter and Lazio conceding fewer.

20 year-old Kumbulla has been a key part of that record, and the tall, elegant defender has attracted the attention of Inter, Manchester United, Chelsea and Napoli with his performances this season.

Positionally sound with the personality and technique to launch attacks with his long range passing ability, Kumbulla looks all set for a career at the top of the game, and with an asking price of under £20 million, he is sure to spark a bidding war in the coming months.