Ten big summer transfers that are close to completion.
10. Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo to Liverpool)
The move to bring Iago Aspas from Celta Vigo to Liverpool has been in the works for a while now, and will surely be completed shortly as the Spanish striker becomes what looks like being one of many new faces brought in by manager Brendan Rodgers this summer.
With Luis Suarez looking increasingly likely to quit Liverpool for a move abroad, with Real Madrid showing a strong interest in the Uruguayan, Rodgers has been keen to act quick and bring in new attacking players.
Aspas looks a great prospect, having scored 25 times to fire Celta Vigo to promotion to La Liga in 2011/12, and then maintaining his prolific form in the top flight with 12 goals to help his side survive relegation. The 25-year-old looks like the type of player who would do well at a bigger club with even more service, as he has shown himself capable of finishing chances and poaching goals with limited opportunities.
After the success of Swansea City’s Michu last summer, Liverpool will be hoping to have unearthed another little-known Spanish talent, ready to perform beyond expectation in the Premier League.
9. Yaya Sanogo (Auxerre to Arsenal)
Although we are yet to hear official confirmation from Arsenal, Auxerre striker Yaya Sanogo believes that a deal has been struck for him to join the Gunners this summer.
The talented youngster has also been targeted by French side Lille, but Arsenal have moved quickly to sign him up despite some recent problems with injuries.
He has been quoted as saying: “Wenger told me I would get opportunities and reassured me about my injury. He told me he had followed me for years. That meeting was very important and today I am an Arsenal player. It will be an amazing adventure. I am just eager to start in one of the best leagues in the world. It is a dream that has come true.”
Arsenal are known to keep their transfer work quiet until a deal is properly finalised, so there may still be a few details to sort out, but it looks likely that Sanogo will be confirmed as an Arsenal player in the near future.
8. Ezequiel Garay (Benfica to Manchester United)
Supposedly, a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ has been reached between Manchester United and Benfica for centre-back Ezequiel Garay. The Argentinian, formerly of Real Madrid, has really grown as a player in his time in Portugal, and has attracted a lot of attention this summer after helping Benfica to the Europa League final in a generally impressive campaign.
The 26-year-old should cost around £17million and will be a real statement of intent in the transfer market by new Manchester United manager David Moyes as he looks to take on the difficult task of replacing Sir Alex Ferguson. He will be pleased to see that the absence of Ferguson hasn’t stopped the club from attracting world class players, and Garay could certainly be crucial in improving United’s defensive displays next season.
Despite winning the title, due largely to the fine goal-scoring form of Robin van Persie, United had the worst defensive record in the top four this year, and will need to tighten up if they are to retain their title. Their rivals will be spending big this summer to challenge them, and it’s important for them to keep improving as well, which the signing of Garay should certainly help them do.
7. Simon Mignolet (Sunderland to Liverpool)
Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has been a stand-out performer for Sunderland in their fight against relegation this season, keeping his side in games with some memorable saves. His fine form looked to have made him a prime target for Arsenal this summer, as they look for a goalkeeper to replace the out-of-form Wojciech Szczesny.
However, Liverpool are also keen to improve on their current first choice of Pepe Reina, and now seem to have stolen a march on the Gunners after positive talks with both Sunderland and Mignolet himself to bring the 25-year-old to Anfield.
A top ‘keeper could be the difference for the Reds next year as they chase a Champions League place, and it would be a big boost for Brendan Rodgers as well to beat rivals Arsenal to the signing of such a good player. A deal is yet to be confirmed, but reports suggest it is all but complete, and Sunderland seem resigned to his departure as they have been linked with a number of goalkeepers as replacements.
6. Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid to Arsenal)
One of the summer’s longest running transfer sagas could be close to an end now, as betting has been suspended on Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain signing for Arsenal.
The prolific Argentine has been a fine player down the years since moving to the Bernabeu, but has fallen down the pecking order somewhat this season, leading to him being placed on the transfer list for around £22million. Real are keen to bring in new players this summer and clear out members of their current squad in the process, meaning they have listened to offers from both Arsenal and Juventus for Higuain.
Juventus looked the favourites to sign the 25-year-old for a while, but they appear to have now switched their attention towards Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez, who may be cheaper, which has left Arsenal as the sole candidates to land this talented striker.
Higuain has already met with Arsene Wenger in Paris, and he and his agent were impressed with the Gunners boss, leaving only a few formalities now for this move to go through. One potential stumbling block is that Real would like to hire a new manager to approve the transfer, but it is unlikely that whoever comes in will have any major objections to the move so late on.
5. Kevin Strootman (PSV to Manchester United)
Manchester United are desperate to replace the retiring Paul Scholes this summer, and may have found the ideal candidate in PSV midfielder Kevin Strootman.
The Dutchman has been on Under-21 duty with the Netherlands at this summer’s European Championships in Israel, and watching United scouts have been suitably impressed with what they’ve seen from the 23-year-old.
Despite being eligible to appear with the youngsters at this summer’s tournament, Strootman is a full Dutch international and certainly ready to make the step up to a big club in the Premier League. His technique, as well as range of passing and shooting, should make him a like-for-like replacement for Scholes, and he looks a bargain at just £17million.
A few terms are still to be agreed, but United have made their desire to sign Strootman very clear, and he is said to be keen to accept the challenge and move to Old Trafford. United boss David Moyes had also considered the likes of Juventus’ Claudio Marchisio and Nemanja Matic of Benfica, but both were far more expensive than the PSV man, with their clubs asking for £30million and £38million, respectively.
4. Luis Alberto (Sevilla to Liverpool)
Sevilla youngster Luis Alberto is reportedly undergoing a medical at Liverpool today, and could be confirmed within the next few hours. Terms have already been agreed between the two clubs for the Spain Under-21 international to move to Anfield on a four-year contract, with the transfer fee expected to be in the region of £7million.
The 20-year-old spent this season on loan with Barcelona’s B team in Spain’s Segunda Division, and scored 11 goals, but the Catalans decided not to exercise an option to sign him on a permanent deal, leaving Liverpool to swoop in for yet another exciting and technically gifted young player.
The Reds have been known in recent years to over-spend on over-rated British players such as Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam, but this seems to be changing under current manager Brendan Rodgers, who is using his vast scouting system to find the best talent from abroad on the cheap.
Alberto is a highly gifted player and already looks set to play alongside the likes of Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge in Liverpool’s attacking midfield, giving them a very dangerous-looking front-line for next season.
3. Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Shakhtar Donetsk to Liverpool)
Despite some conflicting reports on the matter, a move to bring Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Liverpool looks close, completing a busy summer for the club in the transfer market.
The Armenian has been a stand-out performer for the Ukranian side over the last few years, showing prolific form from midfield, as well as looking like an excellent playmaker, fitting in very much with the style deployed by Brendan Rodgers at Anfield.
He could cost as much as £22million, and though terms seem to have been agreed with the player, there has been some confusion due to the fact that the 24-year-old’s rights may not technically belong to Shakhtar, but to third-party ownership. Liverpool are very much keen to push this deal through and will be hoping to resolve these matters by next week. Mkhitaryan has been a top target for the Reds all summer above the likes of Ajax star Christian Eriksen, and it would be great to see him in the Premier League next season.
2. Thiago Alcantara (Barcelona to Manchester United)
This outstanding young prospect is surely going to be on his way out of Barcelona this summer after struggling to work his way past some immense competition in midfield at the Nou Camp. Thiago Alcantara has long been rated as one of the club’s best young players, but is unfortunate to find himself up against the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas in Tito Vilanova’s star-studded team.
After a superb performance for Spain, including a memorable hat-trick in the final against Italy, helping them to win the European Under-21 Championships, Alcantara may finally feel he deserves a move away, and he will not be short of suitors this summer, with Manchester United said to be leading the chase for his signature.
Although United will probably also sign PSV midfielder Kevin Strootman, he would like to bring in more creativity into his midfield, as the likes of Anderson, Tom Cleverley and Nani all struggled to provide ammunition for the team’s attackers in 2012/13. While Strootman will likely play deeper in the ‘Scholes’ position, Alcantara will be given a role just behind the likes of Robin van Persie to work his magic. United have already activated his £17million minimum release fee clause and confirmation of the deal could just be days away as a few final touches are sorted.
United were also said to be trying for Alcantara’s team-mate Fabregas, but were rejected by the Spaniard, though they may have landed themselves an even bigger prospect in the 22-year-old.
1. Isco (Malaga to Manchester City)
Perhaps the best young player in the world at the moment, Isco will surely be leaving Malaga this summer, and it looks like Manchester City will be his destination.
The 21-year-old has been targeted by the likes of Chelsea and PSG as well, but it looked like being a close-run thing between City and Real Madrid for his next club. Still, with an announcement expected imminently, it seems likely that he has chosen to follow his manager Manuel Pellegrini in moving from Malaga to the Etihad Stadium.
The Spaniard will cost around £21million due to a release clause in his contract, and could go down as one of the signings of the summer, as he will surely develop into one of the world’s best players over the next few years, and would probably make an immediate impact for the club as they look to win back the Premier League title in 2013/14.