Ten of the biggest transfers that we believe could take place in the Premier League this summer.
10. Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid to Liverpool).
Liverpool have never truly recovered since losing influential midfielder Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid in 2009. They may have made a healthy £30million from the deal with the big-spending Spanish giants, but attempted replacements for Alonso have included Alberto Aquilani, Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen. Needless to say, the Reds have not had a playmaker of his quality for some time, and that has coincided with a serious turn in their fortunes, as they haven’t finished in the top four since his departure, and were even genuine title challengers in his final season with the club.
The 31-year-old has had a good four years in Madrid, but could be one of many players to leave the club this summer as they ring the changes to improve on a squad that failed to put up much of a fight in the title race against rivals and eventual champions Barcelona. Still remembered fondly at Anfield, his return would be a real boost for Brendan Rodgers as he looks to get the team playing stylish, attacking football and aiming for the top four. Even in his advancing years, Alonso would be hugely influential and could make Liverpool a force to be reckoned with again.
9. Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich to Manchester City).
The temperamental Dutchman struck the winner for Bayern Munich in last week’s Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, but has not always been a regular in the all-conquering Bundesliga side this season, and has been linked with a move away. Manchester City are reportedly interested in the 29-year-old, who once lit up the Premier League in his time as a Chelsea player.
Robben has shown he still has the ability to dazzle and frustrate in equal measure, but there’s no doubting his talent would make City a different proposition next season and certainly exciting to watch. Bayern would be well-advised to keep him and use him more, but with new manager Pep Guardiola coming on, he will want to put his own stamp on this team, and Robben may feel his Champions League-winning goal is a fitting farewell present to the Bavarian club.
8. Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona to Manchester United).
After emerging as one of the world’s best midfielders at Arsenal, Cesc Fabregas was understandably itching to return to his home town club Barcelona, where he started his career as a youngster. The Spaniard was not looking like winning any silverware at the Emirates Stadium, while Barca were sweeping all before them at home and in Europe. The talented playmaker eventually got his dream move, though things have not quite worked out as planned in the Nou Camp.
Fabregas has often found himself playing second fiddle to the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta, being played out of position and struggling to assert his influence on the team. He has been critical of the club’s fans for being impatient with him, and all in all things have turned a bit sour between the player and the club. Controversially, Manchester United are being linked with bringing him back to the Premier League, which would certainly hurt Arsenal fans after seeing star striker Robin van Persie join their rivals last summer. There’s no doubt the 26-year-old would be a fine replacement for the retiring Paul Scholes, and his ability could have a major say on the destination of the title.
7. Stephane El Shaarawy (AC Milan to Arsenal).
Arsenal were linked somewhat surprisingly to the big-money signing of AC Milan youngster Stephan El Shaarawy in the January transfer window. This exciting young forward looks like becoming one of the best players in the world, and is already among the top scorers in Serie A with Milan. Manchester City have also been linked, and it would be an impressive feat for Arsenal if they could capture such a big name, though he would no doubt be expensive. Capable of playing on the wings or upfront, the 20-year-old would add much quality to the Gunners’ front line, which is still missing former star Robin van Persie. This signing would certainly be a shock, but it would be a step in the right direction for the club if they could fight off bigger teams for such a promising and sought-after talent.
6. Christian Benteke (Aston Villa to Tottenham).
After a storming first season with Aston Villa, young Belgian striker Christian Benteke is attracting interest from all across Europe. The £7million signing from Genk has been a revelation in his first season in the Premier League, scoring 19 goals to aid Villa’s survival against relegation. After almost single-handedly keeping Paul Lambert’s side up, he may feel he is entitled to a big move elsewhere. The likes of Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are all said to be keen on the 22-year-old, as they all chase strikers this summer, and he has shown he is definitely good enough to play for any of them.
Tottenham have also been linked with him, and would be landing themselves one of the signings of the summer if they can fight off the competition for him. Spurs need more sources of goals next year after being over-reliant on Gareth Bale to produce the goods this time, and Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor have both had disappointing campaigns at White Hart Lane as the club’s only recognised and established strikers. Whether Bale leaves or not, Andre Villas-Boas should be given a good deal of money to spend in this transfer window to help steer the club into the top four, and it would be very well spent on Benteke, who would surely only improve with the service he’d get at Spurs.
5. Edinson Cavani (Napoli to Manchester City).
Undoubtedly one of the best strikers in the world, the title would surely swing in Manchester City’s favour if they manage to sign Edinson Cavani from Napoli. The Uruguayan has scored 104 goals in 138 games for the Serie A club and is truly a world class player and game-changer. Real Madrid are also interested in the 26-year-old, and it will be hard to find many other clubs who could afford his enormous £60million transfer fee.
City have made their interest in him very clear, and are looking at offering backup striker Edin Dzeko to the Italians in return, which may give them the edge in pushing a deal through. After missing out on Radamel Falcao to Monaco, Cavani will surely be a priority now, and the Etihad club are likely to give new manager Manuel Pellegrini the financial backing to make this crucial deal happen.
4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG to Chelsea)
The controversial striker has played for seven different clubs and in five different countries in his illustrious career, bringing success with him wherever he has been. Having just won the French Ligue 1 title with PSG, he is reported to have fallen out with club director Leonardo, and may look to move yet again this summer. Although he has been criticised for not performing in the big games, with a poor record against English sides in particular, he could now finally make the move to the Premier League for the first time. Manchester City are interested, but Chelsea are perhaps his most likely destination, due to the imminent return as manager at Stamford Bridge of Jose Mourinho, whom he played under at Inter Milan.
The two enjoyed a good relationship during their time in Serie A, with the Portuguese coach seeming to get the best out of a player who had previously struggled for consistency. There’s no doubt that Ibrahimovic is one of the best players in the world to watch, and his presence in English football would make things infinitely more interesting. Chelsea are also in desperate need of a quality striker to replace the floundering Fernando Torres, and the Swede would be an excellent addition for the Blues, giving them a much better chance of mounting a serious title challenge next season.
3. Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid to Arsenal).
Another genuine big name being quite strongly linked with Arsenal is Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain. The Argentine has found himself rather unfairly put up for transfer this summer after a difficult season at the Bernabeu, and Real have supposedly told Arsenal that they can have him for £22million, which looks a very decent price for a player of his quality. The 25-year-old is a lethal striker on his day and deserves to be a starter somewhere if not Madrid. Having joined the Spanish giants as a highly-rated youngster in 2007, he has gone on to score an impressive 121 goals in 265 appearances for the club, despite often being a squad player or substitute. A player of his ability is unlikely to be content with his current role, and could welcome the chance to join Arsenal and establish himself as a starter, which he would almost certainly be at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners have arguably not had as natural and composed a finisher as Higuain since the days of Thierry Henry, and his eye for goal could be the difference between Arsene Wenger’s side merely being a top four side, and being genuine title challengers – and finally bringing home some silverware after eight years. This signing would show real intent from Arsenal and would undoubtedly be one of the stories of the summer.
2. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United to Chelsea).
Wayne Rooney has shocked the world and put Europe’s top clubs on alert with his decision to leave Manchester United this summer. The 27-year-old has reportedly submitted a transfer request at Old Trafford after becoming unhappy with his role in the team. Despite his star status, the former Everton youngster has been played out of position for much of the season and been left on the bench in important games, while Sir Alex Ferguson has chosen to build his team around other players. Robin van Persie has more than justified his selection as the team’s main striker, but one can understand Rooney’s frustration when Danny Welbeck, who only scored twice all season, is often preferred to partner the Dutchman.
The likes of PSG, Barcelona and Real Madrid have all been linked with the England international, but Chelsea are also said to be stepping up their interest, and would certainly rock the Premier League if they could pull this move off. Rooney has been at Manchester United for nine years, and has scored 197 goals for the club, but could well be turning out for their rivals next season. Chelsea will be keen to find a replacement for Fernando Torres, and Rooney could even play Didier Drogba’s role well as the Blues are still yet to find a suitable replacement for the legendary forward. This would certainly be a controversial move, but it could be a good one for Chelsea with Rooney keen to show United what they’re missing out on.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid to Manchester United).
Rooney’s departure could be forgotten quickly if new Manchester United manager David Moyes can stun world football with the return of Cristiano Ronaldo to Old Trafford. The Real Madrid star left United for a world record fee of £80million in 2009 and has only improved in his time in La Liga. With 201 goals in 199 games at the Bernabeu, the 28-year-old is one of the best players in the world now, and would form a deadly partnership with Robin van Persie. He is said to be unhappy in Spain after a difficult season all round for Real, and both the manager and a number of key players set for summer exits.
He has welcomed the idea of a return to United, and Moyes would make himself an instant hero if he could bring back this fans’ favourite. PSG are also interested and he would certainly be expensive, but United would be in an infinitely better position to retain their title if they could add Ronaldo to this team. With Madrid strongly targeting Gareth Bale from Tottenham, perhaps they are preparing for Ronaldo’s exit and signing the Welsh star as a replacement?