How winger was wanted by United, Arsenal and police

Once linked with several top clubs and now set to serve time behind bars for drug trafficking, the demise of Dutch star Quincy Promes is a cautionary tale, writes Will Castle

- Will Castle

Quincy Promes has always been one for a watchlist. Once a common name in any Premier League transfer gossip column, the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal were said to be drawn to the electrifying attacking midfielder a decade or so ago, catching eyes as he stamped his mark as "one to watch" during his Spartak Moscow days.

It was in the Russian capital where the Dutchman spent the biggest portion of his career - seven years in total across two stints. The first, between 2014 and 2018, was when his stock was highest. His sort of player - a speedy, explosive midfield force who can operate both down the middle and on the wing - was very fashionable. And with an impressive record of 66 goals and 34 assists in 135 games for Spartak, it was no wonder some of Europe's big-hitters were after him.

Fast forward into the 2020s and Promes, approaching his thirties, was still being targeted - only this time, it was by the Dutch police. He was a footballer turned fugitive, on the run from his country's authorities on charges of aggravated assault and drug trafficking. It's taken until now, after years of pursuit, for Promes to finally be extradited for his long-awaited imprisonment.

Promes was back in his homeland, playing with Dutch goliaths Ajax in 2020, when the gory details of his private life began to unravel in the public eye - his off-pitch notoriety skyrocketing.

He was accused of stabbing his cousin at a family party in July of that year, a crime of soap-opera standard that stunned and stupefied the wider footballing world.

He was detained in December before being released shortly after, pending investigation, during which Promes pleaded his innocence. But within just two months of being remanded in custody, the midfielder had moved out of the Netherlands entirely, opting to rejoin Spartak with his status as a free man under serious threat.