20 transfer rumours that look likely to happen in the summer transfer window.
Andre Schurrle from Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea.
Reports strongly suggest that this transfer will happen soon enough. The talented Bayer Leverkusen winger has lit up the Bundesliga with his displays this season and is one of many highly rated young players coming through in German football at the moment. The 22-year-old has 13 goals and 8 assists this season and for £20million will give Chelsea more options both out wide and upfront, where they are somewhat lacking in goals from unreliable and off-form pair Fernando Torres and Demba Ba. There’s always potential for late snags to derail a deal, but this looks as close as possible to being a certainty. 9/10.
Carlos Tevez from Manchester City to Monaco.
It’s been a relatively quiet year in the eventful career of Carlos Tevez, and it would not be surprising to see something come of the rumours that he is being lined up by big-spending Monaco, who will look to strengthen their team for a challenge in Ligue 1 next season. The Argentinian striker was close to leaving City last season after a falling out with Roberto Mancini, and remains keen on a move away from England, despite getting back to close to his best form at the Etihad Stadium this season. There aren’t many clubs who could afford his enormous wages, so a move to billionaire-owned Monaco makes sense. 8/10.
David Villa from Barcelona to Tottenham.
One of the most composed finishers of the last ten years, David Villa would be an excellent signing for Tottenham if they can do it. The Barcelona forward has still managed 15 goals at the Nou Camp this season despite limited playing time, showing he hasn’t lost the goal scoring touch. With Spurs’ shortage of goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe, a new striker is a must for Andre Villas-Boas in the upcoming transfer window. At 31 years of age and with recent injury problems, Barca are willing to let the former Valencia striker leave, but if he goes on the cheap he could be a smart move for Spurs. He has also been linked with Arsenal and they would love to beat their North London rivals to the Spaniard. 8/10.
Fernandinho from Shakhtar Donetsk to Manchester City.
Manchester City are looking for new midfielders to improve on their current options of Gareth Barry and Javi Garcia, and have identified Shakhtar’s Fernandinho as a prime target after some impressive displays for the Ukranian side this season. The 28-year-old is also keen on a move to the Premier League as he looks to catch the eye of Brazilian national team manager Luiz Felipe Scolari in time for next summer’s World Cup. 8/10.
Cristian Tello from Barcelona to Liverpool.
Liverpool are keen to sign this talented young forward from Barcelona to take some of the weight of Luis Suarez’s shoulders next season. With Barcelona also keen on Reds goalkeeper Pepe Reina, rumour has it that a swap deal could take place between the two sides. Either that, or Liverpool and a few other clubs may look into activating his relatively cheap £8.5million minimum release fee clause. The offer of first-team football could lure the Spaniard away from the Nou Camp. 7/10.
Nani from Manchester United to Juventus.
The Portuguese winger has been an inconsistent performer this season for United, simply failing to do his job in providing enough goals and assists from the flanks. However, Juventus are said to be willing to offer him a lifeline in Serie A, as they look so strengthen their title-winning squad for a better challenge in the Champions League next year. Sir Alex Ferguson recently denied rumours that Nani would be sold, but he won’t be in charge next season and new United boss David Moyes may have other plans. An exit seems likely, though it remains yet to be seen if it will be Juventus he ends up at. 6/10.
Claudio Marchisio from Juventus to Manchester United.
In the other direction, Manchester United have been linked with a couple of Juventus midfielders. Arturo Vidal probably won’t be moving, after saying he is happy at the club. However, Claudio Marchisio has also been lined up by United as possible replacement for the retiring Paul Scholes. The Italian is an experienced and combative box-to-box player who would give the Red Devils some much-needed bite in the middle of the park alongside Michael Carrick. Marchisio is highly valued by Juventus though, and won’t come cheap, which could prove a stumbling block in a potential deal. 5/10.
Edin Dzeko from Manchester City to Napoli.
Napoli appear to be leading the chase for out-of-favour Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian striker is surely on his way out of the Etihad Stadium this summer after an inconsistent couple of years with the club. Despite the occasional scoring streak, the former Wolsburg man has not looked worth the £28million City paid for him, and they will look to make a number of changes to their strike force after a disappointing season in which they failed to win a trophy. City’s interest in landing Napoli’s Edinson Cavani could push the deal through. 7/10.
Edinson Cavani from Napoli to Manchester City.
If the deal above goes through, then Manchester City will surely be favourites to land their long-term target Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan striker has been in tremendous form for Napoli over the last couple of seasons and City will hope to be able to offer the most money to both him and his club to fight off other suitors such as Chelsea and Real Madrid. This world class talent would give City a big edge in regaining the Premier League title next season. 7/10.
Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid to Arsenal.
Arsenal have apparently been told by Real Madrid that an offer of £22million would get them Gonzalo Higuain. The talented Argentine has been placed on the transfer list at the Bernebeu as the Spanish giants hope to raise some money for some summer spending of their own. Arsenal are in need of a striker to fill the void left by Robin van Persie, which Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski have not quite managed to fill so far. However, with Higuain also wanted by Juventus and Tottenham, will Arsenal really fancy their chances of winning a bidding war for the 25-year-old? 5/10.
Leighton Baines from Everton to Manchester United.
The England left-back has been one of Everton’s stand-out performers this season, and departing manager David Moyes is apparently understandably keen to take the 28-year-old with him to Manchester United. With current United left-back Patrice Evra looking past his best, this move would make a great deal of sense, and Baines will be keen to play Champions League football at this point in his career, feeling he has probably given all he can to Everton. 8/10.
Robert Lewandowski from Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich.
Borussia Dortmund are likely to be dealt the blow of losing their star striker to rivals Bayern Munich this summer. The 24-year-old has been in lethal form for the Bundesliga side over the last couple of seasons, attracting interest from Manchester United and Chelsea, but the Polish striker himself seems to favour a move to the current Bundesliga champions, and could play his final game for Dortmund against his future employers in this season’s Champions League final. Mario Goetze has already been confirmed as making the same move, and all rumours suggest Lewandowski will follow his team-mate. 9/10.
Christian Benteke from Aston Villa to Borussia Dortmund.
Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke has enjoyed a great first season in English football, scoring 19 goals and providing 4 assists in the league to help his side fight relegation from the Premier League. The talented youngster’s form has not gone unnoticed, attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham, and also Dortmund, who will need to replace the goals of Bayern-bound Robert Lewandowski. Villa will struggle to hold on to such a talent, but would prefer not to lose him to a rival English club, which may give the Bundesliga giants an edge in landing their target. 7/10.
Zlatan Irahimovic from PSG to Juventus.
The enigmatic Swedish striker has just won Ligue 1 with PSG, adding yet another league title in another country to his fine collection. However, the team’s title celebrations were marred by Ibrahimovic getting into a heated argument with club director Leonardo, fueling speculation that he could return to old club Juventus this summer. The 31-year-old has spent most his career in Serie A and would welcome a return to a Juventus team that look like going places in the next couple of years. However, the Italian giants have not been known to splash out huge amounts of money in recent years, which could make this deal tricky, given Ibrahimovic’s high wages in Paris. 6/10.
Gareth Bale from Tottenham to Real Madrid.
One of the biggest stories of the last few months is that in-demand Spurs star Gareth Bale will make a big-money move to Real Madrid this summer. The Spanish giants are known for their ‘galactico’ signings and are prepared to offer as much as £65million for the talented Welsh winger. Spurs are keen to hold on to him, but may understandably feel they cannot turn down such a big offer. Real tend to get their way in the transfer market, and it will be harder for Bale to say no if there is no offer of Champions League football at White Hart Lane next season. 8/10.
Neymar from Santos to Barcelona.
One of the most sought-after young talents in the world looks to have agreed a deal to join Barcelona this summer. Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid were all keen on him, but despite rumours of a late effort from Real, he is keen to link up with the likes of Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta at the Nou Camp next season. The deal is expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks. 9/10.
Isco from Malaga to Manchester City.
Isco has earned rave reviews for his performances in La Liga with Malaga this season, getting himself onto the radar of many top clubs. Chelsea were known to be keen on him, but with Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini looking the likely candidate to replace Roberto Mancini as manager at Manchester City next season, it seems he will bring his star player with him to the Etihad Stadium. The 21-year-old would prove an excellent addition to the squad and City will be glad to bring in a big name such as him to help them in their title quest next season. 8/10.
Javier Hernandez from Manchester United to Atletico Madrid.
With Atletico Madrid certain to lose star striker Radamel Falcao this summer, they have reportedly identified Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez as a decent replacement. Although the Mexican has struggled for games at United, his finishing ability is obvious and he will feel he is deserving of more first team opportunities. United could let him leave for £12million, and it looks a good piece of business by the La Liga outfit. 8/10.
Radamel Falcao from Atletico Madrid to Monaco.
In the last couple of days, Monaco have emerged as the surprise favourites to sign Atletico Madrid’s in-demand striker Radamel Falcao. The Colombian’s fine form this season has attracted interest from Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid, but he now looks likely to be tempted by the big money on offer at the newly-promoted French club. It is a blow for the others, but a massive boost for Monaco as they look to wrestle for the Ligue 1 title with fellow big-spenders PSG. 8/10.
Wayne Rooney from Manchester United to Chelsea.
In what would be a sensational move, all signs now point to unwanted Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney joining rivals Chelsea. Chelsea currently look like missing out on their other main targets, with Cavani going to City, Falcao going to Monaco and Lewandowski going to Bayern, meaning they could turn to the England striker to be their long-term Didier Drogba replacement. Bayern had been linked with the 27-year-old, but then denied the rumours, and there aren’t many other clubs that could afford his high wages. Although United would rather not sell to another English club, they are certainly not planning on keeping Rooney after some poor displays this season and his submitted transfer request. This would be something of a shock, but it seems ever more likely that it will happen. 7/10.