Denmark starlet William Böving wanted by Bundesliga and Serie A clubs

​

Exclusive interview 

©TM/IMAGO

William Bøving’s eye-catching performances for Sturm Graz are attracting attention from major European clubs with the Denmark U21 international enjoying the best season of his career. In an exclusive sit-down with Transfermatkt, Boving discusses his attacking excellence, debuting in the Champions League, emulating close friend Rasmus Højlund and his future.

After winning the Austrian Bundesliga last season, Sturm Graz sit top of the league as they aim to win consecutive titles for just the second time in history. Bøving has unquestionably been pivotal to Sturm’s success with seven goals and seven assists in 21 league games from his role as a left number ten – which ranks him fourth in the Bundesliga.

William Boving’s Sturm Graz excellence

“It’s been my best season at Sturm Graz,” Bøving told Transfermarkt. ”I’ve had injuries across the couple of seasons but I’ve never been fitter and that’s the most important thing to perform. I’m in very good form, scoring lots of goals and providing assists. I’m really pleased with my attacking output this season, especially across the last few months. The numbers arrive when you have the quality and you really push yourself.” Bøving’s versatility is unquestionably a strength given the meticulous attention placed on tactical approaches by modern coaches. The 22-year-old has played as a central striker, attacking midfielder and from the left across his fledgling career but he believes he’s flourishing from a continued run in his preferred role. 

“I’ve been playing as a left 10 for the full season and that’s helped because I’ve rotated lots over previous season,” Bøving admitted. “That’s been a major factor behind how I’ve been performing. My favourite position is as a number ten, on the left side behind the striker and I like to spend time on the ball. It allows me to create chances and also arrive in the box to provide a goal threat. It’s true that I’ve played lots of positions in recent years but that’s because I’m very flexible. It’s a positive that I’m versatile but at the same time, it’s good to focus on one position. Most of my strengths are on the ball. I’m fast with the ball, can drive into space and I also have the quality to create chances and to score goals. I’m a real threat in the final third and I’m very athletic, so I can cover great distances.”

LaLiga, Serie A and Bundesliga interest in Bøving

The fact that Bøving possesses numerous desirable characteristics, combined with his excellent form has naturally led to interest from around Europe. Eight German clubs are monitoring his progress while there’s also substantial interest from Spain, Italy and England. Brentford – renowned for their Danish connections – have also scouted Bøving in the past. Bøving is increasingly attractive for potential suitors as he enters the last year of his contract at Sturm this summer and he could be available for a bargain fee – he’s currently valued at €5 million by Transfermarkt.

And Bøving has admirable inner-confidence that he can shine in a major European league, which was bolstered by debuting in the Champions League this season – contributing two assists. “I believe that I can really perform well in a major league and I’ve had a really good season,” he admitted. “We will see what the next step is but I’ve got huge belief in myself. You need to have that confidence or otherwise you won’t be able to make the next steps. I’m in a really good way in my career.”

“There are always more opportunities when you are in good form. It’s just important to keep performing for Sturm Graz and at the upcoming U21 European Championships with Denmark. Anything can happen in the summer. It was amazing to play Champions League football. I just missed out on it at Copenhagen and it was really good to test myself at that level. You can compare yourself to top players and it was a very good experience. It showed that I could compete at that level.” 

Emulating Rasmus Hojlund

Denmark is increasingly producing a conveyor belt of talent to major European leagues, especially in attacking areas. Additionally, Sturm Graz has become renowned for providing a platform for young players to develop and Bøving is following in the footsteps of countrymen Rasmus Højlund and Mika Biereth in Austria. Bøving, currently with Denmark’s U21s, is close friends with Manchester United star Højlund – Sturm’s record sale – after progressing through the youth ranks together at FC Copenhagen and he formed an excellent understanding with Biereth for the first half of the season but the former Arsenal striker earned a €13m move to Monaco. 

“Rasmus and I know each other really well and have a good relationship,” Bøving admitted. “We played together through the years in the academy at Copenhagen. It’s amazing how his career has progressed and it’s the same with Mika. There’s been so many attacking players from Sturm Graz that have been successful and it’s a brilliant club to learn as a young player before making the next step. The last two years for Rasmus have been a whirlwind but we still talk. It provides a big motivation to me that I can make the next big steps quickly – if you do good. It’s also special to see your friends having success.”

The immediate focus for Bøving is on ending the season with success at Sturm and he seems destined for a big move this summer. The versatile star will also be aiming for a special end to the season with Denmark’s U21 at the European championships. “It’s a massive tournament,” Bøving admitted, “It’s the first Euros for me and there’s so many top players competing. It’s a big deal for Denmark and it’s really important for me to show what I can do because there’s a lot of eyes coming to these tournaments.”