Troy Parrott is set to be one of Europe’s most in-demand strikers this summer, after a stellar season for AZ Alkmaar and Ireland.
Parrott has been hugely impressive in the Netherlands for several years now, but this was the year in which he properly announced himself on the world stage.
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His 31 goals and 12 assists have been pivotal for AZ, with the highlight his strike in the rout of NEC in the Dutch Cup final. However, to a global audience, Parrott arrived with his five goals in two games last November, as Ireland toppled Portugal and Hungary to reach the World Cup playoffs.
Not only has Parrott been persistently linked with a move away from AZ, but the Dutch side are well known as a selling club, meaning a big transfer appears on the cards for the Dubliner this summer.
Parrott himself effectively confirmed as much after the final game of the Eredivisie season, saying:
It is difficult to say [if this was his last match for AZ], because a lot can happen in football.
If it was the last match, I have had the best two years of my life. I have met fantastic people and the club has ensured that I could take steps forward.
Now it is important for me to take the next step in my career and to play at the highest level.
I don’t know [where he will go next]. I have no wish and I have no dreams regarding a destination I want to go to.
There have been many rumoured destinations for Parrott in recent months – here are the seven teams we think you should be keeping an eye on as the Ireland star eyes up the biggest move yet of his career.
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7 clubs vying for Troy Parrott
We must add that a move to one of the Dutch giants of PSV or Ajax would be an ideal move for Troy Parrott’s continued development, but are unlikely for a number of reasons.
AZ are expected to ask for at least €25 million for Parrott this summer, while PSV’s record signing cost just €15 million. Ajax have also endured a dismal campaign by their standards, and may not even be able to offer Parrott European football.
AC Milan
The biggest club on this list, the seven-time European champions are looking likely to be back in the Champions League and are on the hunt for a striker.
Despite an improved Serie A performance this year, a top-class out-and-out striker is still the one thing desperately lacking for the Rossoneri. So dire was their situation that they brought in West Ham’s Nicklas Fullkrug on loan mid-season, a move which has brought just one Serie A goal. Christopher Nkunku, by contrast, has just seven goals in 31 appearances.
27 November 2025; Troy Parrott of AZ Alkmaar before the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 league phase match between AZ Alkmaar and Shelbourne at AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar, Netherlands. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Milan are one of the teams most heavily linked with Parrott, and the prestige of the club is a major drawing factor. However, the Italian giants would likely offer Champions League football, and would almost certainly offer a terrific shot at a starting berth to boot.
A serious option to consider should it come to fruition for Parrott.
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund have been one of the teams most associated with developing young talents in recent seasons, with the likes of Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Jadon Sancho, and Jamie Gittens all thriving there in the early years of their careers.
Troy Parrott is at a more advanced stage of his career than any of those were when they arrived at the Black and Yellow, but it would nonetheless be a supportive atmosphere in which for him to continue his development into an elite striker.
What’s more, they would also offer Champions League football.
However, Serhou Guirassy is well established up top, and there is plenty of competition for forward spots. An intriguing if riskier option.
Real Betis
One a bit more from left field, Parrott could join an incredibly short list of Irish players to play in La Liga should he opt for Real Betis.
Betis, too, have secured a Champions League place for next season, thanks in part to the efforts of former Manchester United player Antony.
Parrott would face competition for a starting spot here, too, with Antony, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and Juan Hernandez sharing 28 La Liga goals between them across the forward line this season.
Betis have been among Spain’s most consistent clubs in recent years, and would offer Parrott European football under less scrutiny than at some of the other teams on this lsit.
Bayer Leverkusen
The last on our list who will be playing European football, Bayer 04 are a difficult team to place.
Double champions in 2024 (the only game they lost was the Europa League final in Dublin), Leverkusen have been wildly up-and-down since the departure of then-manager Xabi Alonso.
A disastrous start to this season saw Erik ten Hag sacked less than a month in. Though Kasper Hjulmand has steadied the ship somewhat, Leverkusen have only managed to qualify for the Europa League next year with their 6th-placed finish.
Of all the teams on this list, Bayer have by far the most established first-choice striker, with Patrik Schick among Europe’s most clinical. The Czech striker is unlikely to be displaced up front, but the German side appear keen on Parrott nonetheless.
Ipswich Town
Troy Parrott’s rebirth on the continent has led many to fear the prospect of the Irishman returning to English football.
Nonetheless, newly-promoted Ipswich are one of three English sides reportedly keen on bringing Parrott back to the Premier League. Parrott previously spent the second half ofthe 2020-21 season on loan at the club.
Parrott could become part of a hefty Irish contingent at the Town. His Ireland teammates Dara O’Shea, Kasey McAteer and Jack Taylor all played major roles in Ipswich’s promotion to the Premier League under the stewardship of Fermanagh’s Kieran McKenna. Sammie Szmodics and Chiedozie Ogbene have both been on loan from the club in recent months.
Ipswich could prove an astute opportunity for Parrott to prove his worth in the biggest league in the world, and become the figurehead of the team’s battle to stay in the top flight.
Coventry City
Speaking of which…
Frank Lampard’s Coventry City blew the Championship away last season, and are said to be vying with Ipswich to bring Troy Parrott back to the Premier League.
The Sky Blues play an attacking brand of football, averaging 2.3 goals a game. Their 97 goal tally was 15 clear of the Championship’s next-highest scorers.
City would offer a similar challenge to Ipswich, though there is one more Premier League side in the mix.
Tottenham Hotspur
Jose Mourinho, muhteşem bir gol atan ve topu eve götürmek isteyen Heung-min Son’dan topu alıp ilk Premier League maçına çıkan genç oyuncu Troy Parrott’a veriyor.pic.twitter.com/Rj9NVzrUPX
— Epik Spor Anları (@epicsp0ranIari) March 2, 2023
Tottenham Hotspur is where it all began for Troy Parrott in England, and the Irishman’s spell in North London certainly had some tough moments.
From being handed Son Heung-min’s hat-trick ball by manager Jose Mourinho on debut, to a handful of underwhelming loan spells, Parrott’s five years at the club unfortunately brought more lows than highs.
However, Parrott’s stock is now arguably higher than Spurs’, given the club’s desperate battle against relegation, and the Dubliner is said to be open to a return even if the team is relegated.
Could Parrott become the figurehead of Spurs’ revival?
Troy Parrott looks destined to leave AZ Alkmaar this summer, with a big decision ahead for the Irish striker.
The options look to be either a return to the Premier League with a bottom-half club, or testing his talents at a new level of European football.
Wherever he ends up, 2026-27 is set to be a fascinating campaign for Parrott.
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