Bayer Leverkusen’s rising star Ernest Poku isn’t rushing into any decisions about where his international allegiance will lie, at least not without a family meeting and a word from his agent.
The 21-year-old forward, who has worn the Dutch colours at every youth level, now finds himself at a crossroads ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Eligible to represent Ghana through his heritage, Poku admits the thought of switching is on the table, but far from settled.
Asked about the possibility, Poku remained cautious and non-committal, making it clear he won’t be acting alone.
“We have to see, I don’t know yet. I didn’t get a call or something, so I don’t know. I don’t know, we’ll see then because obviously, I have to speak with my parents about it, with my agent about it. So, I don’t know,” he told Oma Akatugba.
Poku’s journey through the Dutch youth ranks has been steady and impressive. He featured twice for the Netherlands U16s in 2020 before stepping up to the U19s, where he found the net against Ukraine in 2022. His performances earned him a promotion to the Dutch U21 setup, reinforcing his status as one of the country’s promising attacking options.
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At club level, Poku has been equally convincing. After hitting 15 goals for AZ Alkmaar’s youth side and breaking into their senior team, he earned a move to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer. The German club paid an initial €10 million, plus €2 million in add-ons, to secure him on a five-year deal.
Since landing in the Bundesliga, the Dutch-Ghanaian talent has blossomed, becoming an integral cog in Xabi Alonso’s squad. He has already logged five goals and six assists in 25 appearances across all competitions, his blend of pace, directness and composure proving valuable.
With his club trajectory soaring and two nations hoping to claim him, Poku’s next international step could shape the rest of his career, but for now, the decision remains in the family discussion stage.
