Ten controversial moves that could be on the cards in the summer transfer window.
10. Stevan Jovetic to Juventus
Arsenal have been known to be chasing Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic for the last few months, and appeared to be in the driving seat until coming into some disagreement over his fee. Juventus have also shown an interest, but Fiorentina were reportedly so keen for him not to join an Italian rival, that they would let Arsenal have him on the cheap for around £15million. With their asking price now believed to have risen to £25million, they could price Arsenal out of a deal, leaving Juve to snap him up. This will no doubt anger Arsenal fans who’d hoped to be signing a quality striker, as well as fans of Fiorentina, who won’t want to see their star player strengthening another Serie A club.
9. Robert Lewandowski to Bayern Munich
Despite some fighting talk from Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp, this transfer looks closer and closer to completion, and will see a second star player leave Dortmund for rivals Bayern Munich this summer. The Bavarian giants have already beaten Dortmund to the Bundesliga title and in the Champions League final, as well as signing their star youngster Mario Goetze, and could inflict more misery on them as they sign their top goal scorer. It will be some rebuilding progress for Dortmund next season, made all the worse by watching their star names help their rivals to even more success. Dortmund have tried to offer the Polish hit man to English clubs Manchester United and Chelsea, but he appears to have chosen Bayern.
8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Real Madrid
Already a hated figure in Barcelona after his difficult spell with the club three years ago, Zlatan Ibrahimovic could provoke even more wrath from Barca fans by joining their fierce rivals Real Madrid. The Swede, known for being a controversial and outspoken figure as it is, is said to be unhappy at current club PSG, and it has been suggested that Carlo Ancelotti could try to sign him when he himself moves as expected from Paris to Madrid this summer. Ibrahimovic has already played for both Milan clubs AC and Inter, and club loyalty is not a word in the journeyman’s vocabulary, especially after his criticism of the way he was treated during his time at the Nou Camp.
7. Luka Modric to Chelsea
Luka Modric rather held Tottenham to ransom last summer to push through his dream move to Real Madrid, but now after just one failed season in Spain, he could be set for a return to the Premier League with Spurs’ London rivals Chelsea. Jose Mourinho signed the Croatian for the Bernebeu club, and is keen to take him with him if he takes the vacant manager’s position at Stamford Bridge as he is widely expected to do. Modric made no secret of his desire to leave White Hart Lane, and would surely be booed on his return there if he arrives back in England so quickly with Chelsea. A move to Manchester United is also a possibility for the midfielder, which probably wouldn’t go down too well either.
6. Paul Pogba to Manchester City
Paul Pogba apparently had a frosty relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson during his time at Manchester United, and decided not to renew his contract last summer for a move to Juventus. The talented midfielder has gone on to show that he has plenty to offer, perhaps suggesting Ferguson made an error of judgement on this occasion. However, his arrogance has already made him unpopular with United fans, and what better way to anger them further than by joining rivals Manchester City? The Frenchman is supposedly wanted in the blue half of Manchester after his impressive displays in Serie A, and his connections with City’s football development executive Patrick Vieira could help push this controversial move through.
5. Thomas Vermaelen to Manchester United
In a surprising as well as controversial revelation, Arsenal could sell their captain to Manchester United for a second year in a row. The Gunners already lost Robin van Persie to the Red Devils last summer in a move that rather shook the football world, and though this wouldn’t carry quite the same weight, it would make Arsene Wenger look very silly if Vermaelen went on to rediscover his best form at Old Trafford. The Belgian has been dropped to the bench this season for Arsenal after a poor run of form, and is supposedly available for just £5million. Barcelona, Juventus and Napoli have all shown an interest as well, but another key player leaving for United would really rub salt into the wounds of Arsenal fans.
4. Alex Song to Tottenham
Alex Song was never exactly a fans’ favourite at the Emirates Stadium due to his somewhat lazy and arrogant air, and this is another move that would anger Arsenal fans greatly. The Cameroon midfielder left for Barcelona last summer after his first good season for the Gunners, and has predictably gone on to be nothing but a backup player at the Nou Camp. Now regretting his decision, he has been linked with a move back to Arsenal, though Tottenham are also interested in securing his signature, meaning Song could join the likes of controversial figures David Bentley, William Gallas and Emmanuel Adebayor as recent players to swap the red half of North London for the white half.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo to Chelsea
With Jose Mourinho leaving Real Madrid and Chelsea looking likely to be his next destination, he has been linked with several players he’d like to take with him from the Bernebeu to Stamford Bridge. None more controversial than Cristiano Ronaldo though, whom the Blues are rumoured to be ready to spend big for this summer. The Portuguese winger is still considered a legend at Manchester United after his great success there between 2003 and 2009, and a move to their title rivals Chelsea is one that would truly hurt. The 28-year-old was given a warm welcome by the Old Trafford faithful when he returned there in the Champions League this season, but a more harsh reception would surely await if he plays there in a blue shirt next season.
2. Cesc Fabregas to Manchester United
This could end up being a nightmare summer for Arsenal fans, with the news that Manchester United are stepping up their interest in former Gunners star Cesc Fabregas. The Spaniard is reportedly unhappy at Barcelona after failing to establish himself as a regular since completing his long-anticipated return to the Nou Camp from the Emirates Stadium in 2011, and they might be willing to sell him this summer. New United manager David Moyes is known to be on the lookout for a long-term replacement for Paul Scholes, and Fabregas is just the kind of midfielder the club need with his quality of passing and eye for goal. The 26-year-old formerly linked up very well with Robin van Persie for Arsenal, and tormented gooners may watch on next season as they rekindle their partnership for a team who were once Arsenal’s greatest rivals.
1. Wayne Rooney to Manchester City
This hugely controversial move has nearly happened before, and this could finally be the year it goes through. Wayne Rooney, like he did three years ago, has submitted a transfer request to leave Manchester United after being unhappy with his role in the team. The England star has had a long and successful career at Old Trafford, but has never truly been the focal point of the team, and is tired of being played out of position to accommodate others. Rivals Manchester City were interested in signing him last time, and he was also said to welcome the chance of this move. Many of Europe’s top clubs have been monitoring his situation this time round as well, and while it could be any of Real Madrid, Barcelona or PSG that Rooney ends up joining, City are certainly in with a chance as well, as there are few clubs who could afford his high wages. Chelsea are also interested in the 27-year-old, and that wouldn’t go down well either, but Rooney could quickly go from club legend to public enemy number one if he swaps the red half of Manchester for the blue side – see Carlos Tevez. Already booed by his old fans at Everton, Rooney could be hearing even more of that next season.