The players your side should dump and the key personnel they should be looking to bring in during the summer transfer window.
Arsenal
In: Simon Mignolet, Mohamed Diame, Gonzalo Higuain.
Out: Marouane Chamakh, Nicklas Bendtner, Gervinho.
A priority for Arsenal this summer has to be a proper alternative to current first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. The Polish shot stopper has not been at his best this season and was dropped from the team for some time to be replaced by Lukasz Fabianski. However, Fabianski’s injury record is poor and the best solution would be for Arsenal to sign talented Sunderland ‘keeper Simon Mignolet to be their first choice. The Belgian has arguably been Sunderland’s best player this season and would be a great long-term option for the Gunners.
In midfield, Arsenal are still missing Alex Song after selling him to Barcelona and failing to sign a replacement defensive midfielder. West Ham’s Mohamed Diame was strongly linked with the club in January and has a minimum release fee clause of around £3.5million, a very good price for a player of his ability, who would probably play a bit more often than the injury-plagued Abou Diaby.
Gonzalo Higuain could also be a realistic option after being put up for sale by Real Madrid. The talented Argentine has fallen down the pecking order after a difficult season at the Bernabeu, but would be a great option upfront for the Gunners, and available for a very reasonable price of £22million. Juventus are also interested, but Arsene Wenger should show some ambition and make this move happen.
Meanwhile, many squad players are likely to leave the club in the summer after coming to the end of their contracts. However, the likes of Chamakh, Bendtner and Gervinho are still on the payroll and need to be shifted. Chamakh has been a spectacular flop in English football and won’t have convinced West Ham to sign him after his time on loan there, while Bendtner has equally had a very poor spell on loan at Juventus. Gervinho has been linked with Lyon, and Wenger would be wise to give up on the unpredictable and inconsistent Ivorian, who has been infuriating to watch at times this season for Arsenal.
Aston Villa
In: Clint Dempsey, Charlie Austin, Aleksandar Tonev.
Out: Darren Bent, Shay Given, Stephen Ireland.
Clint Dempsey nearly joined Aston Villa from Fulham last summer, but moved to Tottenham instead after a highly productive season at Craven Cottage. However, he has not lived up to expectation at White Hart Lane and could be one of many players to leave in a major summer clear-out. Villa could do with more quality in midfield, and Dempsey may be able to help replace the goals of star striker Christian Benteke if he leaves. Prolific Burnley striker Charlie Austin could also be a good option in this respect, and has been linked as one of Paul Lambert’s transfer targets this summer along with Lech Poznan winger Aleksandar Tonev. These new attacking options would be great alongside Benteke and Andreas Weimann, though also useful replacements if the pair leave.
Darren Bent will almost certainly be on the way out after a season on the bench at Villa Park, and Shay Given and Stephen Ireland would be good candidates to follow. These big names have not shown themselves to be good enough this season, and will likely be picked up by some of the newly-promoted sides.
Cardiff City
In: Solomon Kalou, Aaron Ramsey, Kenwyne Jones.
Out: Nicky Maynard, Tommy Smith, Etien Velikonja.
Newly-promoted Cardiff City, backed by their wealthy Malaysian owners, are likely to make some ambitious signings this summer after winning the Championship. The Welsh side have been linked with former Chelsea forward Solomon Kalou, who has had a decent spell in Ligue 1 with Lille and would add vital Premier League experience to the side. Stoke City striker Kenwyne Jones should be available for around £7million, and is said to be another option for manager Malkay Mackay as he clearly makes attacking players a priority in this transfer window.
One move that would be very exciting for Cardiff fans would be the return of Aaron Ramsey to the club. The Wales international left Cardiff as a 17-year-old for his big move to Arsenal, though he hasn’t quite lived up to his potential at the Emirates Stadium, and could be one that Arsene Wenger would be tempted to sell for the right price. He has returned to the club on loan before, but would be a very useful signing if they could get him permanently.
Players to be shown the door will surely include Nicky Maynard, who has shown himself to be a decent goal scorer in the lower leagues, but who has struggled with injuries of late and is probably not ready for the Premier League. Tommy Smith was not a regular in the club’s promotion season, so it’s hard to see what he could offer in the top flight, and Etien Velikonja will surely be sold after failing to impress since joining the club last summer.
Chelsea
In: Edinson Cavani, Andre Schurrle, Raphael Varane.
Out: Fernando Torres, Michael Essien, David Luiz.
In a move that could see Chelsea kill two birds with one stone, they may be able to land Edinson Cavani from Napoli by offering Fernando Torres in return. This season’s interim manager Rafael Benitez has just been announced as the new manager of the Serie A side and might be keen to link up with Torres again after the pair enjoyed success in their Liverpool days. Cavani would be an excellent addition for the Blues, as he has established himself as one of the world’s best strikers in the last few years, scoring 104 goals in 138 appearances for Napoli. Manchester City and Real Madrid are also keen on the Uruguayan, but Chelsea may hold the cards here with the Torres swap option.
Another player that is widely expected to join Chelsea is Bayer Leverkusen winger Andre Schurrle. The Blues may once again offer a player in exchange and it is now being mooted that youngster Kevin De Bruyne will join the Bundesliga side on loan for one season as part of the deal.
One major signing Chelsea will be hoping for this summer is the return of Jose Mourinho as manager. The Real Madrid boss has confirmed he will be leaving the Bernabeu at the end of the season and Stamford Bridge seems certain to be his destination. If he joins he will no doubt plot a raid on his old club and has been linked with outstanding defensive prospect Raphael Varane.
The signing of Varane would be particularly useful if David Luiz moves in the other direction, which has been suggested as Mourinho supposedly doesn’t rate the eccentric Brazilian. Michael Essien is another who will surely depart after a bad few years of injury struggles.
Crystal Palace
In: Charlie Adam, Peter Odemwingie, Darren Bent.
Out: Alex Marrow, Aaron Wilbraham, Matthew Parsons.
Ian Holloway will have some job on his hands to keep Crystal Palace in the Premier League as it has already been confirmed that star player Wilfried Zaha will join Manchester United next season. A loan return for the 20-year-old winger seems unlikely, so Holloway is being tipped to add to his attacking options with unsettled West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie. The Nigerian tried to force a move away in January and will almost certainly be available, proving a good option with his experience of playing and scoring in the Premier League.
Another option upfront could be Aston Villa’s Darren Bent, who is likely to be sold after warming the bench all season. Apparently Holloway is willing to bid £8million for the former Sunderland man and will also move for Stoke City’s Charlie Adam, whom he worked with in his previous stint in the Premier League with Blackpool.
On the way out are likely to be Alex Marrow, Aaron Wilbraham and Matthew Parsons, who for a variety of reasons were not key members of Palace’s promotion-winning team, and there will be no space for players who aren’t true Premier League quality next season.
Everton
In: Leroy Fer, Alvaro Negredo, Callum McManaman.
Out: Nikica Jelavic, Bryan Oviedo, John Heitinga.
After coming close to signing him last summer, it has emerged that FC Twente midfielder Leroy Fer is still a transfer target for Everton this summer. The 23-year-old would be a particularly useful addition to the squad if Marouane Fellaini is lured by departing manager David Moyes to Manchester United.
Another player who nearly joined the club in January is Alvaro Negredo, the talented Sevilla striker who has confessed to being a fan of English football. The likes of Arsenal and Atletico Madrid have also shown an interest in the 27-year-old, but with those clubs chasing other targets, Everton would be wise to swoop in, and he might be tempted to link up with fellow Spaniard Roberto Martinez if he takes the Everton job as expected.
Martinez would almost certainly target a swoop on old club Wigan as well, and Callum McManaman is said to be a prime target after an impressive season for the young winger.
Nikica Jelavic may be a surprise candidate for a summer exit, after a difficult second season in England. There were rumours earlier in the season that he would look to leave the club after a falling out with team-mate Kevin Mirallas. Bryan Oviedo seems another good candidate to be sold after failing to make an impact at Goodison Park, and John Heitinga has expressed a desire to leave, and will probably be allowed to do so after failing to reach his best form of late.
Fulham
In: Darren Bent, Ryan Babel, Matej Vydra.
Out: Philippe Senderos, Dimitar Berbatov, Simon Davies.
As well as Crystal Palace, Fulham are also said to be chasing out-of-favour Aston Villa striker Darren Bent, who previously played under Martin Jol at Tottenham. Former Liverpool forward Ryan Babel has also been linked, and the pair could be a good alternative to Dimitar Berbatov, who is reportedly unhappy at the club and considering an offer from big-spending Galatasaray. The Bulgarian has often cut a frustrated figure for this struggling Fulham side since joining from Manchester United last year, and it would be unwise to keep an unhappy player.
Strikers are clearly high on the agenda for Jol this summer, with talented Czech youngster Matej Vydra also being linked with the club. The 21-year-old joined Watford on loan from Udinese and was the Championship Player of the Season this year, though his form has also attracted attention from Arsenal and Tottenham.
Joining Berbatov out of the door should be Philippe Senderos, who has been a weak link in the Cottagers’ back line this season, showing little improvement since his days at Arsenal where he earned a reputation for being clumsy and error-prone. Simon Davies should also be sold after barely featuring for the team in the last two seasons.
Hull City
In: Peter Odemwingie, Charlie Austin, Kasper Schmeichel.
Out: Matty Fryatt, Liam Rosenior, Aaron McLean.
Newly-promoted Hull City are looking at a number of options from both the Premier League and the Championship as they prepare to strengthen their squad to fight relegation next season. Peter Odemwingie has been identified as a target after his well-documented problems at West Brom, and would be a good addition upfront given his experience of scoring goals in the Premier League, though they will face competition from fellow newcomers Crystal Palace for his signature.
In a raid on the lower leagues, Steve Bruce’s side have been linked with prolific Burnely striker Charlie Austin, also a target for Aston Villa, and Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, formerly of Manchester City and son of the Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel. Both should be available for £3million and £1million respectively, which would be very shrewd business by Bruce.
Despite Matty Fryatt showing his ability to score goals in the lower leagues, he may not be trusted as Premier League quality, and may be why Hull are looking at both Odemwingie and Austin. The former Leicester striker hardly featured for Hull as they won promotion this season due to injury and looks like finding himself out of the first team picture now.
Liam Rosenior has played in the Premier League before with Fulham and Reading, but has not looked comfortable at this level, and may find himself heading back to the Championship again. Aaron McLean is another who hardly played for Hull this year and should make way.
Liverpool
In: Cristian Tello, Ashley Williams, Michel Vorm.
Out: Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, Pepe Reina.
Liverpool are expected to be busy in the transfer market this summer, as Brendan Rodgers will be under pressure to build on a decent first season at the club and push the Reds into the top four. He may or may not have to deal with the exit of star striker Luis Suarez, but will be targeting additions upfront anyway, with Barcelona starlet Cristian Tello looking like a realistic target. The talented Spanish forward has a minimum release fee clause of around £8million at the Nou Camp and may be tempted to move to gain more first team football. It has been suggested that with Liverpool looking to sell goalkeeper Pepe Reina, they may attempt a swap deal with the Catalans, who are interested in signing Reina as a replacement for the departing Victor Valdes.
If Reina is sold, then Rodgers will likely make a raid on his former club Swansea for Michel Vorm, the talented shot-stopper who would be a significant improvent on Reina between the sticks. The Dutchman is also wanted by Arsenal, but has previously said he would welcome the chance to work with Rodgers again.
Another raid on his old club could come in the shape of Ashley Williams. With Jamie Carragher retiring and Martin Skrtel possibly leaving, Liverpool are in need of new centre-backs. They have already secured the signing of Kolo Toure, but Williams has been strongly linked with the club, and it would be a boost once again if they could beat rivals Arsenal to his signature.
On the way out should be Andy Carroll, who has been on loan at West Ham this season and wanted permanently by the Hammers. Newcastle and Monaco are also said to be interested and he is believed to be weighing up his options after a failed spell at Liverpool. Stewart Downing is another expensive flop who needs to be sold if the team is to progress, and it has been mentioned that he could return to former club Middlesbrough.
Manchester City
In: Edinson Cavani, Isco, Fernandinho.
Out: Samir Nasri, Scott Sinclair, Edin Dzeko.
A new manager at Manchester City this summer should mean some new faces. Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini has more or less confirmed that he will be taking over at the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season in Spain, and his main target will be the star player from his current club, Isco. The 21-year-old should cost around £28million but looks worth every penny as he continues to emerge as one of the best young players in Europe. The Spaniard himself has admitted he would be keen to follow Pellegrini to England and he will be an excellent addition to the team, providing goals and creativity from midfield.
City will also compete with Premier League rivals Chelsea for Napoli star Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan is much in demand this summer after a brilliant few years with the Serie A side, and City will be hoping their significant financial power can tempt him to join. Much of this deal may swing on whether Napoli prefer the swap option of Torres from Chelsea, or of Edin Dzeko from City. The Bosnian striker has been offered to the Italians in return for Cavani, and is one who will surely depart the club in one way or another this summer after an inconsistent few years since joining from Wolsburg.
City are also known to be interested in Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fernandinho after his impressive form with the Ukranian club in the Champions League this year. The Brazilian has pleaded with Shakhtar to lower his asking price, as he hopes to secure a move to the Premier League to put him in with more of a chance of getting into the Brazilian national team.
Joining Dzeko out of the club this summer will almost certainly be Scott Sinclair, who has had a miserable time at the Etihad Stadium since joining from Swansea last summer. The 24-year-old hardly featured under Roberto Mancini and is now eager to get his career back on track, with Liverpool, managed by his former Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers, said to be showing an interest. A return to Swansea is also possible.
Samir Nasri could also be sold after it’s clear he has not lived up to expectations since joining for £25million from Arsenal. PSG are said to be interested and a return to the less-demanding French league may be just what he needs.
Manchester United
In: Claudio Marchisio, Nicolas Gaitan, Karim Benzema.
Out: Ashley Young, Wayne Rooney, Anderson.
With Paul Scholes retiring, new Manchester United manager David Moyes has immediately been tasked with the unenviable job of replacing the legendary midfielder. According to several reports, United will look to sign Claudio Marchisio from Juventus. The experienced midfielder has been at Juve his whole career and is a regular in the Italian national team. With an eye for a pass as well as goals from midfield, this box-to-box player would be very useful at Old Trafford next season, as they might also look to sell the ineffectual Anderson. Marchisio’s team-mate Arturo Vidal has also been linked, though he has committed his future to the Serie A champions.
United could also improve on the wings, with Nani, Antonio Valencia and particularly Ashley Young having very poor seasons this year. Young seems the strongest candidate to be shifted by Moyes, and Nani has been surprisingly linked with a move to Real Madrid. Talented Benfica attacker Nicolas Gaitan seems like a realistic signing, and would be a good option for the Red Devils with his ability to play in a variety of attacking roles. The Argentine would surely relish a new challenge in a top league after Benfica’s failure to win any silverware this season.
Another difficult job for Moyes will be dealing with the future of Wayne Rooney. The England star has supposedly handed in a transfer request at Old Trafford after a frustrating season of being either on the bench or being played out of position to accommodate others. While he is no doubt a player of great ability on his day, he has arguably not lived up to the potential he showed as a youngster and could be becoming a disruptive presence at the club. He won’t be short of suitors this summer, with the likes of Real Madrid, PSG and Chelsea all being linked with him, and perhaps it’s time for United to cash in and bring in more consistent performers.
One potential replacement could be Karim Benzema. The Real Madrid striker may be available this summer, which has attracted United’s interest. The talented Frenchman is one of many to have had a difficult time at the Bernabeu this season and may need a move to reignite his career. His finishing ability and good assists record could be ideal for United as both an alternative to, and provider for Robin van Persie.
Newcastle United
In: Loic Remy, Andreas Weimann, Florian Thauvin.
Out: Hatem Ben Arfa, Gabriel Obertan, Dan Gosling.
Newcastle tried to sign Loic Remy from Marseille in January, but the talented French striker eventually opted for a move to Queens Park Rangers. However, he will almost certainly move again this summer following the London side’s relegation from the Premier League. The 26-year-old has impressed in his brief time in England in so far and it is rumoured that Newcastle will move for him again. The prolific goal-poacher would make an ideal replacement for Demba Ba, who left for Chelsea in January, though the Magpies may have to fight off interest from Arsenal and Liverpool in the forward.
Newcastle have also been linked with talented French youngster Florian Thauvin. After trying to sign him in January, they move for him again this summer as he would certainly add some much-needed quality to the side that surprisigly struggled with relegation this season. Arsenal and Chelsea have also been linked, but Thauvin may be tempted to become the latest of many French players to move to St James’ Park.
Aston Villa’s Andreas Weimann could also be a target for Alan Pardew, as it appears the Austrian is keen to live Villa Park for bigger things this summer. Liverpool have also been linked with the forward, who would favour a stay in the Premier League.
On the way out could be Hatem Ben Arfa. Despite the winger’s undoubted talent, he has a poor injury record and missed most of this season. With Liverpool and Tottenham possibly willing to spend £10million on the Frenchman, it may be hard for Newcastle to say no.
Elsewhere, Gabriel Obertan has failed to make any significant impact since joining the club from Manchester United and should be one for the transfer list. Dan Gosling could also leave after being on the fringes of the first team for some time now.
Norwich City
In: Jake Livermore, Danny Simpson, Sam Byram.
Out: David Fox, James Vaughan, Leon Barnett.
Norwich manager Chris Hughton may use his Tottenham connections to sign Jake Livermore from the club this summer. The young midfielder has been unable to force his way into the Spurs first team and was targeted by Norwich and other clubs in January. The 23-year-old may not quite be Spurs quality, but he could certainly add something to Norwich’s midfield, and is also being considered by Crystal Palace.
Newcastle right-back Danny Simpson could also be a good option for the Canaries, with the former Manchester United youngster confirming earlier this month that he would be leaving St James’ Park this summer. His injury record is not great, but on his day he has the quality and experience to prove useful at Carrow Road.
Failing a move for Simpson, Norwich have also been linked with promising young Leeds right-back Sam Byram. The 19-year-old could follow a number of recent players to move from Elland Road to Norwich, such as Bradley Johnson, Jonny Howson, Robert Snodgrass and Luciano Becchio.
Despite a good first season in the Premier League, David Fox has fallen out of favour under Hughton and will surely be shown the door this summer. James Vaughan should follow after failing to establish himself in the Premier League despite showing plenty of promise as a youngster at Everton, and Leon Barnett has barely featured and is surely surplus to requirements at the club.
Southampton
In: Esteban Granero, Mathieu Flamini, Victor Wanyama.
Out: Jose Fonte, Steve De Ridder, Luke Shaw.
Esteban Granero will likely be one of many big-name players to leave relegated QPR this summer, and Southampton are said to be considering a move for the Spaniard. Although the former Real Madrid midfielder did not enjoy his best form in the Premier League this year, he is still a talented player who could shine in a better team. Fiorentina are also said to be keen on him, but Southampton should act fast as he would be a good addition to their midfield.
Former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini could also be available on a free this summer after AC Milan decided not to renew his contract, and Southampton have supposedly joined Aston Villa in monitoring his situation. The battling French midfielder was a solid and consistent performer in England in his Arsenal days and could be a very astute piece of business for the Saints, especially if Morgan Schneiderlin leaves for Inter Milan.
Another candidate to strengthen their midfield could be Celtic star Victor Wanyama, who has also caught the attention of Arsenal and Liverpool. The Kenyan is considered a very promising young player and would be a real coup for Mauricio Pochettino if he can pull it off.
Jose Fonte could be a player ready to leave the club after his fine service in guiding them to two consecutive promotions, as it seems the Premier League might be a step too far for him. Steve De Ridder could also be moved on after failing to make any impact at St Mary’s, and the club may decide it is in their best interests to sell star youngster Luke Shaw.
The 17-year-old left-back has been a stand-out performer for the Saints this season and has attracted a huge amount of interest from the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham. With so many big clubs in for him and willing to pay big money, Southampton may be wise to take the cash and reinvest it in the rest of their squad, as they are unlikely to keep a top talent like him for much longer anyway.
Stoke City
In: Guilherme Siqueira, Nicklas Bendtner, Gareth Barry.
Out: Jermaine Pennant, Dean Whitehead, Kenwyne Jones.
Granada defender Guilherme Siqueira has emerged as a target for Stoke this summer, as new manager Mark Hughes will be charged with the task of improving the team’s fortunes on something of a shoestring budget after replacing Tony Pulis at the Britannia Stadium.
Arsenal misfit Nicklas Bendtner could also join the club, though that may depend on the future of Peter Crouch, who is being lined up as a backup option to Andy Carroll for West Ham. The Dane will almost certainly be available though, and may be a decent addition to this struggling side, though he hasn’t made the grade at big clubs like Arsenal and Juventus.
Manchester City’s Gareth Barry has also been mentioned as a target for the club, as Hughes is keen to reunite with the player he signed at Manchester City, who has recently looked past his best in terms of playing for a top club. The former Aston Villa midfielder would be a good replacement for Charlie Adam if he leaves to rejoin former manager Ian Holloway at Crystal Palace.
Troubled winger Jermaine Pennant would make sense as a player to be got rid of, as he has failed to make much of an impression for Stoke since joining from Real Zaragoza. The former Arsenal youngster has had a rather nomadic career at various clubs and has been plagued by reported disciplinary problems throughout. His presence is no longer needed, and he may struggle to find a club after failing to even impress on loan at Wolves this season. Dean Whitehead could also move on after becoming little more than a backup at the club, and Kenwyne Jones could be sold, as mentioned earlier, to newly-promoted Cardiff City, who are willing to pay £7million for the striker who is mostly a backup at the Britannia.
Sunderland
In: Modibo Diakite, Milos Krasic, Fraser Forster.
Out: Connor Wickham, Ahmed Elmohamady, Ji Dong-Won.
New Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio will be keen to ring the changes at the Stadium of Light this summer after inheriting a struggling squad from Martin O’Neill. The Italian looks close to bringing in defender Modibo Diakite on a free transfer from Lazio, and the 26-year-old Senegalese centre-back should be a useful addition to a back four that has leaked goals all season long.
Di Canio could continue to use his knowledge of Italian football to good effect, and has targeted former Juventus winger Milos Krasic from Turkish side Fenerbache. The 28-year-old has struggled to impress at both Juve and in Turkey, but would be a good upgrade on James McClean on the wings for the Black Cats.
Sunderland are also preparing for the possible exit of goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to Arsenal, and are considering bidding for Celtic and former Newcastle shot-stopper Fraser Forster, whose good form in the SPL could make him a solid replacement for the talented Belgian.
Young striker Connor Wickham seems a certainty to be sold this summer, with Di Canio admitting the former Ipswich prodigy has an attitude problem. Having failed to live up to expecations since joining last season, he could be heading back to the lower leagues to get his career going again. Wickham will likely be joined by fellow backup players Ahmed Elmohamady and Ji Dong-Won, both of whom have been farmed out on loan this season in an attempt to put them in the shop window.
Swansea City
In: Scott Sinclair, Romelu Lukaku, Junior Hoilett.
Out: Luke Moore, Michel Vorm, Alan Tate.
After an excellent transfer window last summer that saw Michael Laudrup bring in the bargain of the season in Michu to Swansea, the Dane will be hoping for more success this time round as the Welsh side look to build on their top half finish and Capital One Cup triumph. Scott Sinclair is apparently being lined up for a return to the Liberty Stadium after a disastrous move to Manchester City at the start of the season. The talented winger has not been given a chance to prove himself at the Etihad Stadium and is keen to be playing regularly again, though he has also attracted attention from his former boss Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool.
Swansea will also look into exploiting the loan market, and could move for talented Chelsea youngster Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian has just completed a successful season on loan at West Brom, and is wanted by a whole host of clubs as he seems unlikely to force his way into the starting lineup at Stamford Bridge. The 20-year-old would be an excellent addition and form a deadly strike partnership with Michu for the Swans.
Laudrup is also reportedly keen on more wingers, and may move for Junior Hoilett from relegated QPR. The Canadian had a highly impressive individual season for Blackburn in 2011/12 and is still highly rated despite failing to reproduce this form at Loftus Road. With Rangers being relegated he is one of many big names who will surely leave the club for a return to the top flight, and Swansea could suit his style of play well in their attack-minded system.
On the way out of the club should be unneeded squad players Luke Moore and Alan Tate, and the club may also have to bid farewell to talented goalkeeper Michel Vorm. Laudrup has admitted that he may have to sell before he can buy this summer, and Vorm could attract big-money offers from both Arsenal and Liverpool. They have shown they can cope without him though, as he missed much of this campaign through injury, and it could prove a masterstroke by the manager to bring in more money to spend on players to bring in to the club.
Tottenham
In: Luke Shaw, Leandro Damiao, David Villa.
Out: Clint Dempsey, David Bentley, Emmanuel Adebayor.
With Benoit Assou-Ekotto out of favour under manager Andre Villas-Boas, and Danny Rose’s future uncertain after spending the season on loan at Sunderland, a new left-back is likely to be on the agenda for Tottenham this summer. The club have already been linked with Inter Milan’s Alvaro Pereira, who played under Villas-Boas at Porto and whom he tried to sign when he went to Chelsea, though the Uruguayan international has expressed a desire to stay at the San Siro.
This could then see Spurs step up their interest in Southampton starlet Luke Shaw. The 17-year-old has had a tremendous breakthrough season for the Saints in the Premier League, and will likely receive offers from the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United as well this summer. The player himself has admitted he is a Chelsea fan, but could be tempted to follow in the footsteps of Gareth Bale, who left Southampton as a promising young left-back to join Spurs, where he has developed into one of the best attacking midfielders in the world. Shaw is just as exciting a prospect as Bale was in his days as a youngster at St Mary’s, and they are unlikely to be able to keep him this summer.
Joining Shaw will most likely be £30million strike duo David Villa and Leandro Damiao. New strikers are a priority for Villas-Boas in the upcoming transfer window as Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor have both been desperately short of goals this season, and are the club’s only current striking options. Villa has been linked with Liverpool as well, and looks certain to leave Barcelona this summer after falling down the pecking order at the club. Despite his age, he still has great natural finishing ability and should be a good option upfront for Spurs next season. Brazilian Damiao has been a long-term target for Spurs and is finally expected to move from Internacional and add some much-needed quality and goals to the team as they look to break into the top four next season.
Many players are likely to leave the club this summer as they look to free up some money on the wage bill to offer Bale a new contract, but Clint Dempsey, Emmanuel Adebayor and David Bentley should arguably be the priorities. Dempsey has disappointed since his highly anticipated move from Fulham last summer, and Adebayor has not looked like the same player that impressed on loan with the club last season. Monaco are believed to be chasing the goal-shy Togolese forward, and he will surely move on if the likes of Villa and Damiao do come in. Bentley, meanwhile, has been on the books for a few years now despite never playing, and has to go down as one of the club’s worst-ever signings. A return to former club Blackburn seems possible, after the former Arsenal man spent the latter half of the season on loan at Ewood Park.
West Bromwich Albion
In: Franco Di Santo, Dieumerci Mbokani, Nathan Redmond.
Out: Peter Odemwingie, Markus Rosenberg, Liam Ridgwell.
Losing loan star Romelu Lukaku will be a big blow for West Brom, but Steve Clarke appears to already have a couple of targets in mind to replace the Belgian striker. Anderlecht’s Dieumerci Mbokani has been linked to the club, as well as being recommended by Lukaku himself. Another possibility is Franco Di Santo, who will leave Wigan on a free transfer following their relegation from the Premier League.
As for other areas of the pitch, West Brom look in decent shape after a strong season, though Clarke will be keen to strengthen where possible. Highly-rated Birmingham City winger Nathan Redmond is a possibility after some eye-catching displays in the Championship, though Fulham and Norwich are also said to be interested in the 19-year-old.
On the way out will surely be Peter Odemwingie, who ruined his reputation with Baggies fans after trying to force a move to QPR in January. The Nigerian has a good goals record for the club and would be a decent signing for the likes of newly-promoted Hull and Crystal Palace, who are both showing an interest. Markus Rosenberg will surely also be cleared out after a very poor season since joining the club, failing to find the back of the net once, and Liam Ridgwell could also be moved on after becoming little more than a backup player.
West Ham
In: Andy Carroll, Romelu Lukaku, Brad Guzan.
Out: Matthew Taylor, George McCartney, Jussi Jaaskelainen.
West Ham are doing everything they can to make the loan signing of Andy Carroll from Liverpool permanent. The 24-year-old has impressed under Sam Allardyce this season and is the kind of player who would naturally fit into the tactics he deploys. The player himself is still weighing up other offers, and it is thought that the Hammers could join the chase for Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku as an alternative. The Belgian impressed on loan for West Brom last season and is also wanted by Swansea as he is unlikely to be used in Chelsea’s first team next season.
Allardyce is reportedly also keen on a goalkeeper, and is being linked strongly with a move for Aston Villa’s Brad Guzan, who has had an impressive season despite Villa’s relegation fight.
This could mean that Jussi Jaaskelainen makes away, with the Hammers keen to recruit a more long-term option over the veteran shot-stopper. Joining him out should be Matthew Taylor and George McCartney, who have both looked like weak links in the squad this season and no longer capable of being regulars at Premier League level.