From the outside it looked in, it seemed quite impossible for Red Bull Salzburg to replace Erling Haaland – but they have.
And they have replaced one of the best young strikers in the world with another top scorer in the form of Patson Daka. The Zambia international has so far scored a ridiculous 30 goals in 32 matches this season in all competitions in 2020/21 and as such has aroused interest from, among others, Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool, Tottenham, West Ham and more.
Here’s everything you need to know about the future.
Daka celebrates a goal for Red Bull Salzburg. | David Geieregger / Getty Images
Scoring is the basic requirement for all strikers, and Daka is truly an expert at finding the back of the net.
After scoring just three goals in his first two Bundesliga seasons, the forward really found his form last year in an outstanding season.
Daka scored 24 goals in 31 appearances and finished in second place in the goal scorer just behind Wolfsberger AC’s Shon Weissman. He netted three hat-tricks while scoring a goal every 78 minutes and helped Die Mozartstädter cross to his 14th league title.
Daka scores for Zambia. | AFP / Getty Images
Daka is no stranger to the international scene, having represented Zambia since his teens.
He was first called up to the senior group by Honor Janza five years ago for the Africa Cup qualifier against Guinea-Bissau and Kenya.
Daka was only 16 years old and started in the front against Guinea-Bissau in June 2015 and finally ended with a 0-0 draw. Daka has since scored three goals and two assists in ten internationals, and he looks set to lead the line for Chipolopolo for many years to come.
Roof with the CAF Young Player of the Year award. | PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / Getty Images
Two years after making his international debut, Daka was named the African youth player of 2017. The striker was already playing in Austria when he received the award and became only the second Zambian after Clifford Mulenga to win it.
Daka followed in the footsteps of Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen when he won the prize, which has since been won twice by Achraf Hakimi.
Former Tottenham striker Frédéric Kanouté. | Phil Cole / Getty Images
Daka’s agent will be crucial in determining whether he stays or leaves, and it just so happens that his current agency is headed by a former Tottenham player. Frédéric Kanouté played all over Europe during his professional career, which included a two-year stint at Spurs.
Kanouté scored 22 goals in 73 appearances for Lilywhites before being sold to Sevilla in 2005. He could be crucial in deciding where Daka ends up next.
Liverpool’s Sadio Mané and Naby Keïta. | Chris Brunskill / Fantasista / Getty Images
If Daka signs for Tottenham, he would not be the first African player to end up in the Premier League via RB Salzburg. Liverpool stars Sadio Mané and Naby Keïta both went their separate ways and Daka has spoken of his admiration for the pair.
In an interview with Red Bull, he said: “They inspire me in so many ways in their personality, their professionalism and also see that they come from Africa – where I come from – it is a motivation to know that if they can do it, I can handle it too. ”
Daka in action against the boys’ club Liverpool | Alex Livesey / Getty Images
In addition to the Mane and Keita connection, Daka grew up as a big Liverpool supporter.
“I’ve always been a Liverpool fan. It was a dream to play them at Anfield,” he told 90 Minutes.
The striker got his first chance to experience the magic at Liverpool Stadium in a Champions League group stage meeting last season, while also scoring against the Reds in a pre-season match this summer.
Daka Can’t Stop Scoring Chris Bauer / Getty Images
Daka’s goal-scoring heroism has only increased this season.
So far, he has 30 goals in 32 games, including 23 in juts and 19 appearances in the Bundesliga.
Above all, he scored an eight-minute hat-trick (EIGHT) in the 3-1 victory against Sturm Graz on April 4.
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