Wilshere's ex-Bournemouth teammate eyeing European glory with stock sky high

Just over a year ago, Arnaut Danjuma was having to make do with a place on Bournemouth's bench in the Championship.

Sitting alongside him was Jack Wilshere who was back at the club for a second spell in a bid to reignite his career.

Tuesday night will see Danjuma line up for Villarral against Italian giants Juventus in a Champions League last-16 tie. In stark contrast, 30-year-old Wilshere is building up his fitness at Danish club Aarhus after penning a short-term deal with the club.

It is a stark turnaround for both players but Danjuma, not former Arsenal wonderkid Wilshere, is now the player firmly in the limelight.

Will a Premier League side splash out on Danjuma? Let us know in the comments section

He enters the Juventus game clearly full of confidence. Last weekend saw the 25-year-old score his first career hat-trick in Villarreal's 4-1 thrashing of Granada.

Danjuma has come a long way since his summer move from Bournemouth - a transfer that is estimated to have set back the Spanish side around €25million.

His stellar form has seen him linked with a host of Europe's top clubs, including Man United and Liverpool.

To that end, Villarreal have covered their backs with the Athletic recently reporting that Danjuma's contract contains a €75m release clause which could act as a deterrent for many clubs.

Despite spending two months on the sidelines, owing to an ankle injury, he has still racked up 13 goals in all competitions this term as Villarreal chase a top four finish and glory in Europe.

Four of those goals for the winger have come in Europe's premier club competition and tonight he has his sights on more exploits after starring against Manchester United earlier in the season.

Juventus are well off the pace in Serie A this season and despite being Champions League holders Chelsea earlier in the group stage, they were swatted aside 4-0 at Stamford Bridge in the return leg.

Speaking to Marca ahead of tonight's first leg in Spain, Danjuma has described how he comes alive when he is playing in the Champions League - and how he one day hopes to life the famous cup.

He said: "I can't explain the feeling when you step onto the pitch and hear the Champions League music, it gives you goosebumps. You know the whole world is watching and you want to perform.

"Winning the Champions League is obviously the aim so I would never say that it is impossible even if we are the underdogs.

"I always strive for greatness and that is our narrative and something that we want to achieve. So that is our goal, we will try our best to win it."

Perhaps Bournemouth fans didn't quite see the best of Danjuma, certainly not in his first season on the South Coast which saw he Cherries relegated.

But 17 goals in his second and final campaign indicated a sign of things to come.

Indeed, his old Bournemouth boss Jonathan Woodgate once said of Danjuma: "I see him as doing what he wants to do in the game.

"He can go as high as he wants to, but he's got to always want more, always try to be that best."

A big test of those capabilities now awaits Danjuma.