Brentford are one of multiple Premier League teams showing an interest in AZ Alkmaar striker, Vangelis Pavlidis.
It is no secret that Brentford may have to prepare to face life without Ivan Toney come the January transfer window.
With that being said they have been linked with plenty of forward options in recent months.
Toney has been out of action for many months and isn’t set to return until January. The Bees have struggled without him and may lose him permanently with big teams sniffing around.
If the striker is to move on, Thomas Frank is going to need someone to fill a big gap left from his squad. The man linked today could be that someone.
Who is Vangelis Pavlidis?
A Greece international, Pavlidis began his career in Germany with Bochum before making a move to the Eredivisie.
He made just four appearances for the German side with loan spells with Borussia Dortmund II and Willem II. The latter bought the best out of the striker.
Across a two-year spell with the club, he scored 28 goals, featuring in 73 games.
This form tempted AZ Alkmaar into securing his signature in a deal worth just £2.5 million.
Since joining he has scored 43 goals in his 73 games which has seen interest in the Greek peak. His record-breaking start to the season has seen him score 13 goals in just nine games.
What would he add to Brentford?
In terms of strikers, he is currently one of the best all-rounders in Europe.
At the time of writing, he ranks in the top <3% for non-penalty goals, expected goals and touches in the opposition penalty area per 90.
To have 13 league goals this early in the season is great, but at some point, his overperformance of xG will stop and will level out.
As it stands he is at 7 expected goals, still a great record after nine games. Although this is something to take into account.
Pavlidis doesn’t just bring attacking impetus, he is also a defensive-minded forward who can press from the front.
He registers a tackle almost every game ranking him in the 77th percentile of strikers, no mean feat.
With that ability and his finishing, he could be an ideal player to bring in if Toney is to leave the club in January.