Bendeguz Kovacs, it’s not just Juventus: the battle in the transfer market is about to begin
Among the most closely watched young forwards on the European scene is undoubtedly Bendeguz Kovacs, a Hungarian center forward born in 2007 who, thanks to his physical and technical attributes, is already being compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. It’s a challenging comparison, but one that effectively conveys the kind of player who is attracting the attention of some of Italy’s top clubs.
Born on March 31, nineteen years ago, in Fehergyarmat, Hungary, Kovacs is a 199-centimeter-tall forward who combines physical stature, agility, and a remarkable scoring ability. He currently plays for AZ Alkmaar, a club that in recent years has established itself as one of Europe’s best at developing young talent.
The Hungarian center forward’s career began in the youth academies of Fiatal Gyemantok and Debrecen, before he moved to the Netherlands in 2021. After his time in the ARC youth system, he joined Ajax’s youth academy in 2023, before moving to AZ (first to the B team and then to the Eredivisie squad) in the summer of 2025. His steady development quickly helped him make a name for himself among the professionals.
It was primarily his stats over the past few seasons that brought him into the spotlight. With Jong AZ, the Dutch club’s reserve team, he scored 12 goals in 20 appearances across the Eerste Divisie and youth competitions, while in the UEFA Youth League he stood out with a total of 9 goals, including a hat trick in the round of 16 against Borussia Dortmund. These performances have opened the doors to the first team and the Hungarian senior national team, for which he made his debut in 2026.
His attributes are reminiscent of those of the great modern center forwards: dominant physicality, excellent aerial ability, the capacity to shield the ball, and a technical skill set that is, in its own way, surprising for a player of his stature. Hence the comparison with Ibrahimovic, one that is inevitably destined to follow him for a long time to come.
According to transfer rumors circulating in international circles, Juventus is reportedly keeping a close eye on his development ahead of the January transfer window. The Bianconeri see Kovacs as one of the most promising prospects among the new generation of European strikers and may try to get ahead of the competition.
However, Juventus isn’t the only club interested in the young Hungarian. Both Milan and Inter are reportedly monitoring his progress with interest, aware that the player’s value could rise rapidly in the coming months. AZ, which has tied him down with a contract through 2029, does not seem willing to let him go easily, but faced with a substantial offer, the future of this Hungarian talent could become one of the hottest topics of the upcoming transfer window.
