As Huddersfield look set to finish in the play-offs after a memorable season, the West Yorkshire club under the management of David Wagner has shown that their excellent early season form wasn't down to luck.

One of the main reasons for Huddersfield Town's success this season was the summer transfer window, which saw the club transform from a relegation candidate into a promotion candidate.

The upcoming transfer window could only again prove to be vitally important for the West Yorkshire side as they look to consolidate their position as a promotion chasing team.

In the summer, David Wagner may feel that he needs to strengthen the squad once again, either to prepare for Premier League football or mount a second promotion challenge.

It is likely that Huddersfield Town's recruitment strategy will continue to focus on the German market that David Wagner knows so well and also young talents from the lower leagues.

FLW writer Elliott Wheat-Bowen looks at three players David Wagner must send scouts to watch as soon as possible...

 

Nils Petersen

After firing Freiburg to promotion from Germany's second division last season, Nils Petersen has continued to impress as he has proved that he is more than capable of replicating his goalscoring form in Germany's top flight.

The former Werder Bremen striker has had a new lease of life with Freiburg scoring forty-three times in just seventy-four appearances for Christian Streich's side.

Not only has Petersen impressed domestically, the 28-year-old striker has also proved to be prolific on the international stage when he scored six goals in six appearances for Germany's Olympic Team at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

As Huddersfield's ambitions have grown and their eyes are set on promotion to the Premier League, David Wagner may feel that the West Yorkshire side will have to look for a higher quality of player especially in the striking department.

Having been linked with a move to the West Yorkshire club on a number of occasions, Nils Petersen is a player that David Wagner must send scouts to watch as soon as possible if Huddersfield Town wants to consolidate their place as a promotion chasing side.

Alexandru Maxim

Despite missing seven games due to injury, VfB Stuttgart's 26-year-old attacking midfielder Alexandru Maxim has proved to be one of the most talented players outside of the German top flight.

In just nineteen 2. Bundesliga games this season, Alexandru Maxim has scored twice and provided six assists from the advanced midfield position.

Considering that Huddersfield Town has turned to Germany's second division for a number of signings, it would not come as a surprise if Maxim was on the West Yorkshire side's radar.

As there is some uncertainty who will play in the number 10 role next season with both Kasey Palmer and Izzy Brown set to return to Chelsea, Maxim would slot into David Wagner's fluid 4-2-3-1 system perfectly.

With VfB Stuttgart attempting to gain promotion back to the Bundesliga at the first time of asking, David Wagner should be sending scouts to watch Alexandru Maxim at the nearest possible opportunity to see how Maxim copes with the pressure of chasing promotion.

Ollie Watkins

With a reputation of developing young talent, David Wagner may turn to the lower leagues to bring in the additional firepower that he feels his side is lacking.

One of most highly rated and highly sought after young players in the entirety of the Football League is Exeter City's centre forward Ollie Watkins.

This season, Ollie Watkins has been the standout performer in League 2 for Exeter City as the 21-year-old striker has fourteen goals and eleven assists in all competitions.

Ollie Watkins' consistently impressive performances led to him winning the EFL Young Player of the year award beating Reading's John Swift and Oxford United's Ryan Ledson.

With a number of Championship clubs already circling around the Exeter City striker, it appears that Paul Tisdale may be resigned to losing Watkins in the summer.

In the upcoming weeks, Ollie Watkins is a player that David Wagner must send scouts to watch as the 21-year-old forward attempts to help Exeter City gain promotion to League 1.