Player tracking: Who to keep an eye on switching clubs

Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) £60m

England’s hottest prospect was ringed with boos during the Three Lions’ friendly with Republic of Ireland recently, with many Irish-Liverpool fans under the impression that Sterling has dishonoured the crest. It is fair to say the attacker has been on the wrong side of the press of late but there is no doubting his growing talent. Liverpool have already rejected £30m from Premier League chasers and insist that pursuing clubs should double their valuation. A move to stay in the Premier League would be advisable should he leave Anfield, with fears he may not break into the regular first elevens for the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Likelihood of a transfer: Medium

Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) £42.9m

Wayne Rooney wants him, Daniel Levy wants to keep him but does Louis van Gaal? Manchester United need a player with Kane’s record and have been regularly linked despite Spurs closing the blinds on all the rumours. This next season will be even more crucial for Kane, for his own profile considering the standard he set last season and with the European Championships taking shape in France next summer.

Likelihood of a transfer: Low

Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton) £15.2m

Southampton have already broken Liverpool hearts by rejecting a £10m bid for Clyne a couple of weeks ago, whilst there seems to be a consistent link to the red half of Manchester. Clyne has developed tremendously under both Mauricio Pocchetino and now Ronald Koeman and will look to secure a place in the England squad over the next twelve months. He is arguably the Three Lions’ best right back which suggests he will be on the list of more than just a couple of sides.

Likelihood of a transfer: Medium 

Charlie Austin (Queens Park Rangers) £8.1m

Austin is almost certainly on the move after Queens Park Rangers suffered their second relegation from the Premier League in three seasons. With ambitions of impressing Roy Hodgson ahead of next year’s Euro 2016 finals, the talisman needs to be playing Premier League football. Newcastle United have publicly announced their fondness whilst Jose Mourinho has been rumoured to be interested despite the imminent arrival of Radamel Falcao. Both could be challenged by Liverpool who are looking to continue with their English contingency.

Likelihood of a transfer: High

Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion) £16.6m

Although ongoing speculation that the England Under-21 forward may be packing his bags out of the Hawthorns, Berahino’s future does not seem very clear. Whether he stays or departs he will still have many admirers. Tottenham and Liverpool seem to have drifted off the radar to be replaced by the likes of Newcastle United following Steve McClaren’s arrival. Do not be surprised to see Berahino stay with Tony Pulis and co.

Likelihood of a transfer: Medium 

Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli) £27.4m

Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are only four of the strongest contenders looking to lure Gonzalo Higuain away from Naples. The once Real Madrid forward is desperate to play in the UEFA Champions League again. His time at Napoli has been relatively positive despite Gli Azzuri finishing 5th in Serie A last term, it is evident nonetheless that the 27-Year-old would prefer another dabble amongst Europe’s elite. With 157 in 294 appearances for River Plate, Real Madrid and Napoli, the Argentine would be a deadly prospect for any club.

Likelihood of a transfer: Medium

Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon) £28.6m

Lacazette has progressed tremendously over the past 24 months. He has recently broke the goal record for Lyon and is said to be a huge threat to Karim Benzema in the French national side. Lyon will not budge unless the price is right but as a selling club the once most successful team in Ligue 1 are not the team they use to be. It is rumoured that a number of Premier League sides are flirting with the prospect of signing Lacazette, however there has not been any real connection with any particular club.

Likelihood of a transfer: Medium 

Nabil Fekir (Lyon) £20.8m

An unknown entity until the 21-year-old began to form a pristine partnership with Alexandre Lacazette. Fekir has been heavily linked with Arsenal, nonetheless his club may refrain from allowing their homegrown star leave immediately after making such an impact. Maybe another twelve months at Lyon will be beneficial for the young talent along with some experience in the Europa League before he goes in search of pastures new.

Likelihood of a transfer: Low

Roberto Firmino (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim) £16m

This Brazilian midfielder/striker needs to move having proving he is a cat amongst pigeons at Hoffenheim. He has successfully broken into the national team and has caught the eye of a few interested parties. Louis van Gaal looks set to make a move as he requires a shrewd versatile thinker.

Likelihood of a transfer: High

Ilkay Gundogan (Borussia Dortmund) £13.5m

For weeks the German international has been linked with a move to Barcelona to become the direct replacement for long serving captain Xavi Hernandez. The move is likely to progress, although the once Manchester United target would not be able to ply his trade at the Nou Camp until January 2016 due to the Catalans recent transfer ban. Gundogan can be identified as a midfielder with supreme intelligence who tidies up in midfield and links up play between the defence and attack.

Likelihood of a transfer: Medium 

Shinji Okazaki (Mainz) £2.8m 

The Japanese striker almost sealed a move to Leicester City in January but for a fewdeadline day hiccups which the Premier League survivors could not tie up. The Foxes are sniffing around for another bid as they believe they can get their man. An affordable price at £2.8m is very tempting for a player who has become a fan favourite for Mainz.

Likelihood of a transfer: Medium

Kevin Mirallas (Everton) £5.3m 

Tottenham Hotspur came very close to closing a deal for the Belgian midfielder in the winter but are said to be looking at other options six months on. Miralles has been rumoured to be catching the eyes of Ligue One side Monaco who are looking to strengthen following a third placed finish in the league and reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. With Roberto Martinez searching for fresh options on the wings, especially with recent news of Ahmed Elmohamady possibly moving in from Hull City, Miralles will seemingly be pushed out if not relegated to the subs bench.

Likelihood of a transfer: Medium 

Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan) £20.9m

It was thought that Serie A’s joint top scorer was destined to stay at the San Siro until Real Madrid announced their willingness to buy the Argentinean youngster this week. Altough Roberto Mancini is looking rebuiild at Inter, with interest in the likes of Manchester City’s Yaya Toure, the former City manager may have to sacrifice his new prized asset to Europe’s elite, which Inter are no more.

Likelihood of a transfer: Medium 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund) £11.6m 

The Gabonese goalscorer was the catalyst to Borussia Dortmund’s revival from threatening relegation to finshing to qualify for next season’s Europa League. Dortmund have struggled since selling Robert Lewandowski twelve months ago to arch rivals Bayern Munich, if it wasn’t for Aubamayang Jurgen Klopp may have experienced even more embarrasment in his final season at the Signal Iduna Park. Thomas Tuchel will be eager to keep his main striker as he looks to carry on Klopp’s legacy.

Likelihood of a transfer: Low

Miralem Pjanic (Roma) £25.4m

Bosnian international Pjanic is a class act and hits the rumour mill every transfer window. It is hardly a surprise as it could be said he deserves a chance at a bigger unit than Roma, despite featuring in the UEFA Champions League year-after-year. Again the usual suspects Manchester United have been linked along with Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool. The utility midfielder will not come cheap and will demand to be one of the first names on the team sheet as he is considered to be that good by his peers.

Likelihood of a transfer: Low

Carlos Bacca (Sevilla) £16.5m

Bacca has had a remarkable couple of seasons in Seville, winning consecutive Europa League titles whilst hitting the back of the net 34 times in 71 games since his move from Club Brugge in 2013. The Colombian’s price is dictated by his age, however the 28-year-old is in his prime and is likely to be judged more so playing in the UEFA Champions League next season.

Likelihood of a transfer: Low 

Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) £47.5m

24-year-old Griezmann is a true pedigree who can feature either up front or on the wings. His goal ratio stands at one goal every 1.6 games for Atletico Madrid, becoming an integral piece in the jigsaw for both club and country. Paris Saint Germain want to lure him away from Spain to his homeland but due to financial regulation contraints, the French outfit will have to be smart in their recruitment. Although they can afford to pay Griezmann’s price tag, they may be unable to secure further recruits.

Likelihood of a transfer: Low

 

Summer business so far across Europe

It seems this summer’s transfer market is destined to make history, by surpassing last year’s record breaking pre-season purchasing. With esculating television deals going through the roof, the pressure to buy big but smartly is ever more present. This summer’s transfer dealings promise to be interesting not only because of the cash flow between clubs, it will be captivating to see whether European talents choose to move to a bigger club with the 2016 Euros just around the corner.

This dilemma eludes players including in-demand Christian Benteke. The Aston Villa striker hit some impressive form following Tim Sherwood’s appointment and has since again creeped onto the shopping lists of some of the Premier League’s highest finishers. Liverpool are in desperate need of a free-scoring front man but have recently rdcruited whilst Tottenham Hotspur are keeping a close eye with Manchester United lurking in favour of Young-Player-of-theYear Harry Kane, despite the North Londeners being bound to keep their forward. Benteke poses an interesting blend of height and power whilst having a deadly finish, however there are question marks over his ability to take the next step on the Premier League ladder. Arsenal have seemingly dropped their interest in the Belgian international due to his inconsistency before Sherwood took hold of the reigns. The former Tottenham manager remains persistent in advising his rejuvinated talisman to keep his feet on the ground to not jeopardise his role for his national side.

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are the two teams on heat in the market so far at the top end of the table. Having both regrettably missing out on next season’s UEFA Champions League the time to recruit new faces is crucial for both sides. Both Brendan Rodgers and Mauricio Pocchetino have begun their summer shopping with the Reds drafting in Manchester City and England midfielder James Milner on a free, following the expiration of his contract at the Etihad. Tottenham stole the tracks on highly-rated Austrian centre-back Kevin Wimmer from FC Cologne in a £4m deal ahead of many interested parties. The arrival of Milner at Anfield has raised concern amongst a host of Liverpool fans with question over their ambition to bring in big names, despite the England regular receiving high applause from many of his new teammates due to his versatility and energy. Wimmer is young and fresh, just like his manager who has shown glimpses that he is ready to tidy up in areas that cost his side to finish six points off the top four last season. Pocchetino has been in search for the ideal partner for Jan Verthonghen with Federico Fazio still finding his feet and Eric Dier’s flame burning slowly.

Liverpool have also signed Danny Ings from Burnley after the 22-year-old’s contract ran dry. His move away from the relegated East Lancashire club was inevitable despite the goals drying up for the Under-21 England forward in the latter stages of the 2014–15 season. It is an intriguing move from Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool, who will have to pay £7m for the player due to his age, despite his contracting expiring. Rodgers seems to believe that bringing in English talent may lift the spirit levels at Anfield, nevertheless using the connection with current England regulars Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana to create a masterful blend. Ings isn’t Luis Suarez and never will be without showing too much disrespect to the young forward, however his progression over the nine short years from his youth development is remarkable, a trait that the manager could use to drive for greater success for the Reds over the next twelve months.

The window is going to be fascinating to watch for both Liverpool and Tottenham fans. Both clubs have bought big following the departure of their marquee player and failed to find a product that works. With similar targets in mind including Burnley full-back Kieran Trippier, as well as Crystal Palace’s impressive winger Yannick Bolasie winger, the battle for the top four may increasingly heat up yet again next term. The early signs for Tottenham in the market are looking a little more healthier at the moment with Pocchetino hunting for varied option from both the Premier League and abroad. Recent scouts have visited France to highlight the potential of 19-year-old Monaco forward Anthony Martial, with reports in France suggesting a €25m deal is soon to be striked. With the decreasing possibility of Southampton holding-midfielder Morgan Schneiderlein joining his former manager at the Lane and with Benjamin Stambouli failing to convince in his debut season, the Lilywhites have been in pursuit of Marseille middle-man Giannelli Imbula. The 22-year-old has already made over sixty appearances in two years for the Velodrome side following his move from Guingamp in 2013, becoming one of the hottest prospects from the French boarders after an impressive season this term. A deal is hanging in the balance with English vhampions Chelsea in pursuit, whilst Spanish unit Valencia looking for a central option.

Also in the England, Manchester United continue to feature in the weekly headlines but with more imminent departures over definite arrivals. Although the deal to bring in Memphis Depay was quickly wrapped-up the pursuit for big-name players doesn’t seem to be in the cards for Louis Van Gaal. The news circulating David de Gea seems to be a story that will continue to filter between the next few months on a daily basis along with the inevitable exit of Robin van Persie who has seemingly denied reports he is about to sign for Rome-based outfit Lazio. Nicolas Gaitan seems likely to swap Portugal for Old Trafford in return for the services of winger Nani in a player-plus-cash deal to bring the talented Argentinean to the red half of Manchester. It is believed Van Gaal is not prepared to wait to sign players until after their UEFA Champions League play-off as he looks to build on last season to mount a serious title challenge in 2015-16.

In other stories including England’s top clubs it seems Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal may do their business on the quiet. Jose Mourinho has openly suggested that the 2014-15 champions will not be dipping too heavily into the market despite the ongoing rumours of Radamel Falcao potentially moving to Stamford Bridge after a disappointing season at Old Trafford. toA loan deal from Monaco is expected to be authorised over the next week, with Moirinho confident of helping the Colombian striker reinvigorate his career following a disappointing bout at Old Trafford, scoring only four goal in twenty-nine appearances. There are grave concerns over Manchester City’s midfield, especially with restrictions of financial-fair-play overhanging the Citizens. Fortunately Yaya Toure has chosen to stay at the Etihad, however with James Milner and Frank Lampard looking to be following by the potential departures of Samir Nasri, Fernando and Jesus Navas, Manual Pelligrini could have his work cut out if he is to regain the Premier League crown. The Citizens are looking to smash the Britishtransfer record with an astonishing £80m bid for French international Paul Pogba, who was on the losing side with Juventus in this season’s UEFA Champions League final loss to Barcelona.

Business for two of the three promoted sides is well under way with both automatic qualifiers Bournemouth and Watford bringing in a handful of fresh faces to kick start their survival campaigns. Keeping Matej Vydra at Vicarage Road for another two more years from Italian side Udinese has settled many nerves at the Hornets whilst the recruitment of former Atletico Madrid manager Flores demonstrates their intentions. Eddie Howe has taken Artur Boruc on a permanent deal from south coast rivals Southampton whilst provinding immense competition for the Polish international by recruiting former Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici. Howe has quickly identified the importance of talent on the wings by signing Blackburn Rovers’ Joshua King and loaning Christian Atsu from Chelsea to provide an option on the left.

In Spain the dominant two have both purchased a right-back each. On the back of their treble winning season in Luis Enrique’s first twelve months as manager, the Catalans signed Sevilla full back Aleix Vidal for an undisclosed fee from the UEFA Europa League winners immediately after their 3-1 UEFA Champions League triumph over Juventus in Berlin. Although Vidal will not be able to play until January 2016 due to Barcelona’s transfer embargo, the converted right back is believed to be the direct competition for Brazilian Dani Alves who turned down increasing pressure to choose AC Milan as his next destination over a move to Paris Saint Germain or the Premier League. Alves will now stay at the Catalan giants. Real Madrid purchased FC Porto defender Danilo in a £23m swoop, a deal which is believed to finally solve the problem left by Sergio Ramos after the Spaniard converted to a full time centre half.

Barcelona’s transfer ban means they must refrain from buying too many players this summer due to their restrictions until the winter, however finding a replacement for long serving Xavi Hernandez will be an intriguing prospect but not so much a priority having seen Ivan Rakitic adapt more than copeusly to the midfield frame under Luis Enrique.

Closest contenders to the top two in Spain, Atletico Madrid could have a busy summer, more so keeping their most prudent players and building with stronger implants. Mario Mandzukic has been told he can depart with clubs in England and Italy keeping a close eye which has seen Diego Simeone try to fend of Argentineans Boca Juniors to fly Carlos Tevez in from Turin. Another interesting prospect is the speculation surrounding Edinson Cavani’s future with the Uruguayan proving the be another option from Paris St Germain. Cavani may not be the only frontman leaving the Parc des Princes. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has reportedly been in touch with former representatives AC Milan to partner Jackson Martinez, whose move from FC Porto was recently approved for €35m.

Elsewhere in Italy, Juventus have been busy since the turn of finish as runners-up in Europe’s highest profile club competition by bringing in German defensive-midfielder Sami Khedira on a free from Real Madrid. The 2014 World Cup winner spoke of his delight at the move following the most ‘difficult twelve months of his career’ at Los Blancos. Juve also went all out to purchase highly rated Palermo forward Paulo Dybala ahead of countless admirers, finalising a 5-year-deal worth €32m plus €8m in add-ons dependent on bis performances for the Serie A champions.

Clubs in Germany have begun without haste with with a number of loan moves turning into permanent contracts with Kyriakos Papadopoulos staying at Bayer Leverkusen, Eden Hazard’s brother Thorgan staying in Monchengladbach and former Manchester City Matija Nastasic opting to make his move to Schalke 04 more long term. Borussia Dortmund have begun their rebuilding procedures under Jurgen Klopp’s replacement in Thomas Tuchel, the former Mainz coach, with the purchase of Gonzalo Castro from Leverkusen whilst securing the signature of highly rated Julian Weigl from 1860 Munich. Bayern Munich are yet to dip their mits into the market but are said to be keeping their budget tight, without too many notable additions to Pep Guardiola’s established champions.