The ten most expensive players who are likely to move clubs this summer.
10. Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund)
This lethal Polish striker has 36 goals this season in what looks like being his final year with Borussia Dortmund. Lewandowski is now hot property all around Europe, with Manchester United and Chelsea desperate to sign him, though they look set to miss out to Champions League winners Bayern Munich for his signature. The 24-year-old is expected to move in the coming weeks for a fee of around £30million, and it would certainly be higher if he weren’t heading into the final year of his contract with Dortmund and available on a free next summer. His Dortmund team-mate Mario Goetze has already been confirmed as making the same move, becoming the most expensive German player of all time at around £32million.
9. Isco (Malaga)
This highly rated youngster is quickly establishing himself as one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe, and has a whole host of potential suitors this summer. With a generous looking minimum release fee clause of around £30million, the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid are all keen to sign him, though he appears to favour a move to City to follow his manager at Malaga, Manuel Pellegrini, who is expected to replace Roberto Mancini at the Etihad Stadium. Another player who would certainly be moving for more money if not for the clause in his contract and Malaga’s financial problems.
8. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
After submitting a transfer request at Manchester United, Wayne Rooney will surely add his name to the most expensive signings of the summer. Despite some indifferent form this season, the England star is still highly rated all around Europe, with big teams such as Barcelona, Real Madrid and PSG all showing a significant interest in the 27-year-old. On his day, he’s a £50million player, but his desire to leave United could see him move for more like £30million this summer, which many clubs will see as a very decent price for a player of his potential. Even Chelsea and Arsenal are interested, though they may have to pay more as United will be keen not to sell Rooney to another English club.
7. Nemanja Matic (Benfica)
This talented Serbian playmaker has really shone for Benfica this season, attracting interest from Manchester United, who are looking for a replacement for the retiring Paul Scholes. However, Benfica have stamped a massive £45million price tag on Matic’s head, which could put him out of reach. United will look to raise some funds by selling some unwanted squad players in this transfer window, but their need for a playmaker of this quality could see them meet the Portuguese side’s sizable asking price, which would make the former Chelsea youngster by far the most expensive signing in their history.
6. Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
Although Liverpool will be determined to fight off interest from the likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester City for their star asset, manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted that every player has his price. After the superb season Suarez has had, his price is expected to be around £50million, which may not be too much considering the spending power of some of these clubs. The 26-year-old may also be tempted to leave for a move abroad, given his reputation with the English press, and Liverpool could then use this significant transfer fee to invest in several players for the rest of their squad.
5. Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg)
Brazilian star Hulk is unhappy with life in Russia, and is supposedly wanted by big-spending Monaco. With the 26-year-old already having moved for big money before when he joined Zenit St Petersburg from Porto for £52million, it will take a similarly mammoth offer from the newly-promoted Ligue 1 side to sign him this time. However, backed by their wealthy Russian owner, Monaco are showing they mean business in this transfer window, having already signed Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez from Porto for a combined £60million, and are said to be willing to spend another £100million on their squad, with Hulk emerging as one of their main targets.
4. Radamel Falcao (Atletico Madrid)
Another player high on Monaco’s list is Atletico Madrid star Radamel Falcao. Some sources suggest a move is already as good as done, and the free-scoring Colombian striker will join the French side for around £54million. Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid were reportedly all interested as well, but even these big spenders have been out-muscled by Monaco on this occasion, who look like building a phenomenal team for next season, especially if £100million strike duo Hulk and Falcao can combine as they did in their Porto days.
3. Edinson Cavani (Napoli)
Along with Falcao, Edinson Cavani is surely the most sought-after striker in world football right now. The 26-year-old Napoli star has been in sensational form for the Serie A side for the last three seasons, scoring a highly impressive 104 goals in 138 appearances. His form in front of goal has made him a target for Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid, who are all willing to pay Napoli’s rumoured asking price of close to £60million. In today’s market, Cavani looks well worth it, as his record in front of goal would surely improve with the quality of service around him at any of these bigger teams. His signing is certainly one you could imagine deciding the destination of a league title next season.
2. Gareth Bale (Tottenham)
Gareth Bale’s already-great reputation has shot up this season with his scintillating displays for Spurs. Moved to a more central role by new manager Andre Villas-Boas, the 23-year-old has scored even more goals from a variety of angles, from long range stunners to solo efforts after taking on team’s entire defences. Bale’s ability is superb, and has seen him compared with the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Real Madrid are desperate to land him, and Manchester United are keen too, but Spurs are holding firm and £65million seems to be their asking price, though depending on where you read it, it could be as high as £70million. If he moves this summer, he will almost certainly be one of the most pricey deals, and becoming the second most expensive player of all time.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Cristiano Ronaldo is already the most expensive footballer in the history of the game after he moved to Real Madrid from Manchester United for £80million in 2009, and he could break his own record this summer if stories are to be believed. Manchester United had been linked with a £65million + players move, but it now seems more likely that big-spending French giants PSG will stand the best chance of landing him, as they are prepared to offer £84million or even £100million according to some sources. Real Madrid have said they are determined not to sell him, and may simply make him the world’s best paid player to convince him to stay at the club, according to club president Fiorentino Perez. Either way, Ronaldo’s considerable value is set to rise even higher this summer.