The ‘Must Have’ player each side in the English top tier should target.
The 2012/13 Premier League season did not match the previous year for drama and entertainment. Dominated by Manchester United year round with their consistent play and overpowering of their rivals, discarding Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham aside on their way to winning a 20th domestic league title. The chasing pack will be looking to strengthen themselves again this summer, willing to break the bank to attain the necessary talent to yet again, challenge United as England’s top dogs. Here is a complied list of must sign summer transfer targets for each Premier League club going into next season, to help them solidify their status, and make the push onwards and upwards the league table.
Arsenal: Stevan Jovetic
The Fiorentina marksman is renowned around Europe as one of brightest young talents emerging on the scene in recent years. Now at 23, it is time of Jovetic to take that leap into major European football, which he is not attaining currently at Fiorentina. Arsenal are said to be one of many clubs interested in Stevan, along with Italian champions Juventus, and the Viola are quoted as to wanting in excess of £30million to take the Montenegrin off their hands. Unfortunately, the allure of Champions League football that Europe’s top clubs can offer Jovetic may to be too good to turn down. Arsenal are adrift of Europe’s elite clubs with their tendancy to flog their major talent, and thus have failed to compete domestically. Jovetic would be ideal forward to integrate into their interchangeable system, with 30 goals in his last two seasons including international matches, an ideal player for Arsenal to help them in their Premier League challenge for the 2013/14 season.
Aston Villa: Mathieu Flamini
Villa avoided the drop by the skin of their teeth this past season. The relentless managerial changes season after season is not beneficial, needing continuity and stability which ultimately will aid the growth of their young squad. The inexperienced line up last season was culpable for many mistakes, and the years experience will do them well, but with the unfortunate retirement of club captain Stiliyan Petrov, Villa require a veteran head to man the midfield. Being released this summer by Milan, ex-Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini is eager to find his way back into the Premier League, with the Villains and the Saints looking to acquire the Frenchman. The knowledge he brings to the table and capability to playing regular Premier League football will be priceless for the youthful squad in vital need to leadership.
Cardiff City: Leon Barnett
The key to Premier League survival, exemplified by West Ham this past season, is good home form, and a solid defence. Norwich loanee Leon Barnett was a huge hit for the Bluebirds during his short stint at the club towards the end of last season, reassuring the back-line. With only a year left to run on his current Norwich deal, the Welsh side are looking to capitalise and take the 27-year old defender to the capital. Manager Malky Mackay, linked with the vacant Everton job, claims Barnett ‘is a quality player, there is a calm air about him’. Looking to resurrect his career since his move to Norwich from West Brom, Barnett’s best opportunity to succeed to by moving cross-country and joining Cardiff in their bid for Premier League survival.
Chelsea: Edinson Cavani
No matter which way you look at it, Fernando Torres’ production since joining Chelsea has not warranted the £50million price tag. With Mourinho seemingly re-entering the fold, looking to utilise the creative talent already in place, may look to shop Torres and/or Demba Ba and bring in another forward with superior talent on the European stage. It’s believed Chelsea are closing in on a £42.5million move for Napoli star Edinson Cavani, the ideal marquee signing which would kick–start the Blues’ title challenge. With 178 career goals to date, and about to entire his physical prime, it’s time for Cavani to join Europe’s elite forwards and pair-up with a club who will contend on the continental stage. Reigning Europa League Champions Chelsea provide an excellent chance to win domestic and European glory, with the piece’s in place to create a world-class team, and now a manager to match.
Everton: Roberto Soldado
The Toffee’s are of the brink of European qualification and can compete with the league’s best on any given day. Everton’s main flaw in recent years is the lack of a clinical striker who can be depended upon. Thinking they attained this in Nikica Jelavic following his impressive start to his Everton career, however, form has deteriorated since and lost his place in the Everton line up to Victor Anichebe. Soldado, 27, has been linked with a £10million move to Everton this summer, representing the ideal signing to propel Everton into European football and a potential Top-4 place next season. Scoring 79 goals in three seasons with Valencia since his switch from Getafe, Soldado has been on the cusp of the Spanish squad which is rich in attacking talent.
Fulham: Darren Bent
Behind Dimitar Berbatov in the Fulham ranks, is very little in terms of attacking production. In possession of two very inconsistent forwards Mladen Petric and Hugo Rodallega, and Marcello Trotta a relatively unknown talent, Fulham need to acquire some striking options. Darren Bent is being shopped by Villa for £5million, and is also a reported target for West Ham, Stoke and Everton, following the emergence of Belgian dynamo Christian Benteke. Bent has a proven track record in the Premier League, netting 103 Premier League goals to date. A proven goal-scorer for the fee mentioned would be tremendous business for Martin Jol, looking to build on Fulham’s steady season last time out.
Hull City: Jordan Rhodes
Earning promotion on the last day of the Championship season, Hull, like Cardiff, want to assure Premier League safety this season. Winning 18 games last season by a single goal, and scoring the lowest amount of goals, 61, in the top half of the Championship last season, it’s evident that Hull require a goal-scorer to help them secure safety. Jordan Rhodes, who joined Blackburn for £8million last summer from Huddersfield, has been linked with a move to the North East. Rhodes, 23, endured a tough season with the Rovers who narrowly avoided the drop, but with 28 goals in 48 games last term, has a track record of bagging goals at now League 1 and the Championship.
Liverpool: Asmir Begovic
Pepe Reina has become a liability in recent years at Liverpool, prone to handling errors and costly mistakes, its no secret Liverpool are open to offers for the Spaniard, with Barcelona said to be interested. Begovic, 25, has questioned his future at Stoke following the signing of Birmingham stopped Jack Butland, who will become a Stoke player this summer. Begovic revealed this week he wishes to ‘start preparing on July 10, with all the players of Liverpool’ in an interview with a Bosnian source. With reported interest from Arsenal looking for competition at the position, Liverpool face a tough task to lure him from their grasp.
Manchester City: Ilkay Gundogan
With a plethora of attacking options at the club already, barring any sales, City do not require another forward, contrary to belief. Lacking a box-to-box midfielder to put alongside Yaya Toure in the middle of the park, complementing each other. Gundogan, coming off a stormer in the Champions League final for Borussia Dortmund which included a goal to his credit has been linked with a move to the Etihad this summer, but the Blues face competition from Barcelona for the Germans services. Valued around £17million, Gudogan is a fine combination of defensive solidarity and creative ability. Manchester City really declined this year in the midfield, looking tired on occasion, Ilkay allows for adequate rotation for the prospective new manager for when they arrive, and is a vast improvement on Gareth Barry and Jack Rodwell.
Manchester United: Thiago Alcantara
The loss of Paul Scholes should not go un-noted at United. His passing influence is one which is unmatched in many respects, and the Red Devils require a player to fill his void. The inconsistent Anderson will likely be sold this summer, and the failure to retain Paul Pogba last summer, means David Moyes will have to spend big to attract Europe’s top talent, and he has identified Barcelona starlet Thiago to be ‘the guy’. Following a mismanagement by Barcelona in terms of playing time to elevate his release clause to £77million, it’s believed the Spaniard is available for as little as £14.5million, a bargain price for this creative talent. Falling behind Cesc Fabgregas in the pecking order, Thiago, 22, is in search of a new challenge, and there is not one more attractive than Manchester United. Assured in possession, and recognised for his intricate passing ability, Thiago would be an ideal signing to fill the need in the centre of United’s midfield.
Newcastle United: Loic Remy
Never really replacing Demba Ba’s goals at the club, coupled with Papiss Cisse hitting a dry streak in front of goal, Newcastle return to QPR for long-time target Loic Remy, who rejected the club in favour of Rangers five months ago. Following their relegation, it’s believed Remy has an £8million get-out clause at QPR, opening the door to a prospective move to Newcastle, but it’s noted that Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool have recorded interest in the striker. Scoring 6 goals during his short spell in West London, Remy wants a return to European football, which may lead him elsewhere from Newcastle, but his pace, finesse and finishing ability is what Newcastle has lacked, an into feet player who can utilise the creativity provided by Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye.
Norwich City: Steven N’Zonzi
The combative midfielder has recently handed in a transfer request at the Cottager’s which has been turned down, but has sparked interest from a host of Premier League clubs including Norwich, West Ham and Newcastle. Norwich have acquired Ricky van Wlfswinkel already from Sporting Lisbon, who will join this summer, so attacking options are not an immediate target. N’Zonzi is a no-nonsense midfielder who brings a real presence and will provide protection to the occasionally exposed back-line. Stoke would be reluctant to sell the ex-Blackburn midfielder, but they may have to cash-in on the unhappy Frenchman.
Southampton: Davide Astori
The Saints comfortably avoided the drop this season following a run of results inspired by new manager Mauricio Pochettino, but their downfall season long was their inability to retain leads due to their permeable defence. Astori is a seasoned Italian international with vast experience in the Serie A with Cagliari, and is a £10million target for Southampton, with AC Milan also monitoring the situation. His experience and quality will help solidify a porous Saints back-line.
Stoke City: Wayne Bridge
Without a manager, Stoke would need to address that before discussing transfer targets, but Wayne Bridge would be a smart acquisition. Performing at a high level the past season with Brighton, almost guiding them into the Championship. Available on a free transfer this summer, Bridge, who is also attracting interest from Newcastle, would provide a solid option at left back, one of Stoke’s main area’s or weakness.
Swansea City: Iago Aspas
Returning to La Liga in search of another bargain buy, Michael Laudrup has identified Iago Aspas to lead the Swnasea line going into the 2013/14 season. Following the end to Itay Schecter’s loan spell at the club, the Swans will be reliant upon Michu to add to his 22 goals thus far in his Swansea career. Valencia pulled out of a move to sign Aspas, 25, from Celta Vigo, and Swansea are readying a bid to activate his £8.2million release clause. They looked to make a move in January, but now following Celta’s relegation from La Liga, making the move easier, Swansea have returned for the Spaniard, but the Swans will face competition from Liverpool for the forward.
Sunderland: Modibo Diakite
With Steven Fletcher and Danny Graham as the main striking options, Sunderland should not be at risk next season or a lack of goals, and should safely avoid the drop if they can sort of their defence. Diakite, 26, previously linked with Liverpool, is out of contract this summer and is expected to leave Lazio. The experienced centre back would be a welcome addition following the loss of Titus Bramble, and Matt Kilgallon is expected to follow him out of the exit door. The key to survival is a solid defensive structure, the acquisition of Diakite is a step in the right direction at least for Paolo Di Canio.
Tottenham: Leandro Damiao
A long-term target of Spurs’, with a number of past bids rejected, Internacional striker Leandro Damiao has been offered to Tottenham for £17million. Marseille rejected the chance to sign Damiao for £17million opening the door for a move to White Hart Lane. The Brazilian forward scored 23 goals last term, and will revitalize the Tottenham atttack, which has stagnated with Adebayor and Defoe. The real must is retaining Gareth Bale, their lead goal source, but the combination of the two is a sure-fire recipe for success, and Champions League football next season. His combination of physicality and technique is unique, and should fit in well with the British style of football.
West Brom: Romelu Lukaku
The Chelsea youngster enjoyed a successful loan spell at the Hawthornes last term, seeing him finally reach his potential following his £18million move to the Blues from Anderlecht. Scoring 17 goals last year for the Baggies guided them to an 8th place finish, creating a fiercesome tandem between him and Shane Long. The Baggies are said to be interested in keeping Lukaku, 20, next season, as are West Ham and Swansea. Heralded as one of Europe’s top young prospects, Lukaku requires another season with West Brom for him to really flourish, and display his undoubted talent again on a more consistent basis.
West Ham United: Wilfried Bony
Although nearing a permanent deal for Andy Carroll, the Hammers should focus their attention on another target, Vitesse’s Wilfried Bony. Having set the Eredivisie alight in recent seasons, scoring 31 goals in 24 appearances and guiding Vitesse into European competition next season, Bony is a £12million target for West Ham boss Sam Allardyce. Having lost Carlton Cole, Marouane Chamakh and Wellington Paulista already this summer, the Irons are low on fire-power. Bony resembles the perfect mix of size, strength and finishing ability to become a top Premier League striker, helping West Ham progress on their top ten finish last term.
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