Every club in the Premier League is doing their utmost to improve their squad before the end of the transfer window and that doesn’t just meaning signing players. It is also important to sell some players whose performances have dropped and try get as big a transfer fee as possible. Here is the one player that each club should sell before the transfer window slams shut on September 2nd.
Arsenal- Nicklas Bendtner
The big Dane has struggled during his time Arsenal, showing promise on occasions but also being a frustrating figure who was unable to score goals on a regular basis. Bendtner hasn’t even been at Arsenal for the last two seasons, instead spending his time on loan at Sunderland and then Juventus. During his spell at Juventus, Bendtner struggled to break into the Italian Champions first team and returned to Arsenal low on confidence.
He has also been told by the Arsenal hierarchy that he can leave the Emirates and his representatives have spent most of the summer trying to find him a new club. Clubs in Spain, Germany and Holland are all reportedly interested in signing Bendtner but so far no club has made a concerted effort to sign the Dane. Bendtner has also been linked with newly promoted Hull City. The Tigers manager Steve Bruce brought Bendtner to Sunderland when he was manager at the Stadium of Light and is known to rate the Dane. Bruce is desperate to sign a striker before the end of the transfer window and could make a move for Bendtner shortly.
Aston Villa- Shay Given
Given was once considered one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. He put in many excellent performances for his former club Newcastle and was linked with moves to Manchester United during his time on Tyneside. When he did finally move away from St James’s Park, it was to Aston Villa and not Manchester United. It is fair to say that Given’s time at Villa Park hasn’t been a complete success. Last season, the Irishman spent most of the season on the bench, with manager Paul Lambert preferring to use Brad Guzan in goal. Guzan had a fantastic season in goal for Villa so it seems unlikely that Given will reclaim the number one slot at Villa Park.
A move away from the club seems likely, with Doncaster Rovers reportedly interested in signing the experienced goalkeeper. Doncaster are currently struggling to persuade Given to join, with the Irishman thought to be unwilling to drop down a division. However, Given may have to if he wants to get some first team football, which isn’t available at Villa Park at the moment.
Cardiff City- Etien Velikonja
Velikonja signed for Cardiff last season with many fans expecting big things from the Slovenian, who scored 20 goals in 40 appearances for Maribor before moving to Cardiff last summer for £2 million. However, despite the fans expectations, Velikonja hasn’t really had many opportunities to shine at Cardiff, with Malky Mackay having plenty of options of up front, meaning Velikonja was hardly used by the Scottish manager. It is hard to see why Mackay paid so much for the Slovenian but it seems that his days in the Welsh capital are numbered, with Mackay keen to see the back of one of his failures in the transfer market. Reading are reportedly interested in bringing Velikonja to the Madjeski stadium on loan and the striker will hope that he gets more opportunities up front for the Championship side than he done at Cardiff.
Chelsea- Demba Ba
Ba is still a very good striker and it was only a year ago that many were saying that he was one of the Premier League’s best following a superb season at Newcastle. In hindsight, Ba decision to swap Newcastle for Chelsea may have been mistake. The striker struggled to break into Rafa Benitez first team last season, with the Spaniard keen on using the mis-firing Fernando Torres as his main striker. Ba did score several specular goals during his time at Chelsea, especially in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City but it looks like, despite that, his stay at Stamford Bridge will be a short one. New manager Jose Mourinho is keen to sign a quality striker before the end of the transfer window, with Wayne Rooney or Samuel Eto possibly being brought in.
This means there won’t be a place in Chelsea’s first team for Ba and he could end up playing in the reserves if he doesn’t move away from Stamford Bridge. West Ham are reportedly interested in signing Ba, with manager Sam Allardyce keen on partnering Ba with Andy Carroll up front. Ba may not want to downgrade to a club that will probably finish in mid-table this season but he will need to move if he wants regular first team football.
Crystal Palace- Jonathan Parr
Parr was voted Palace’s player of the year for 2012 but could be on his way out of Selhurst Park before the end of the transfer window. A number of Premier League clubs are reportedly interested in signing the Norwegian international. The left back, who can also play in left midfield, only has one year remaining on his current contract with Palace and it is unknown whether he will sign a new deal before the 2nd September. If he doesn’t want to sign a new deal, then Palace may have to come to the realisation that they will have to sell the defender.
If they don’t he could leave for free next summer which Palace can’t allow as they need as much money as possible as they try and stay in the Premier League. Survival in the top flight is hard enough, but Palace don’t want to be letting players leave for free when they could get a decent transfer fee for them.
Everton: Nikica Jelavic
The striker was excellent during his first half a season in the Premier League, often scoring fantastic goals and finding the net against the very best teams. Since then, Jelavic has struggled to reach those same heights and often found himself on the bench last season while David Moyes was at the club. Even though Moyes has left, it maybe wise to let Jelavic leave this summer.
The striker is reportedly considering a move away from Goodison Park and could move to Hamburg, despite manager Roberto Martinez suggesting that he may keep the striker at the club to see if he can rekindle his past form. Everton have already strengthened their attacking options this summer by signing Arouna Kone and with Martinez known to admire Kone greatly, Jelavic may struggle to get a run in Everton’s team. At his best, Jelavic is still a good striker, as he proved during his early days at Everton, it will just come down to whether Martinez is willing to give him another chance to prove himself.
Fulham- John Arne Riise
Riise was once one of the most dangerous left-backs in the Premier League during his time with Liverpool. He scored many thunderous goals and was always a threat going forward. Riise has been successful during his time at Fulham but speculation has started to mount, suggesting the Norwegian could end his spell at Craven Cottage.
The left back has said that he would like to play in the Norwegian League before he retires while German club Werder Bremen are reportedly interested in signing the defender. Riise can leave Fulham for free and although he is training with the squad, it seems likely he will exit the club before the end of the transfer window. Martin Jol left Riise out of Fulham’s first game of the Premier League against Sunderland, which further suggests that Riise days at Fulham are numbered.
Hull City- Nick Proschwitz
Proschwitz joined Hull City last summer, arriving from SC Paderborn for £2.6 million. Despite being an expensive signing for the Tigers, Proschwitz struggled to get into the clubs first team squad, making only 5 starts for Hull last season. Proschwitz only scored 3 goals for Hull during his first season, a less than impressive tally considering how much the Tigers paid for him. Despite the strikers instance that he would like to stay at the club and fight for his place, it appears that Hull boss Steve Bruce is set to sell the German. Bruce believes that if Proschwitz struggled in the Championship, he will almost certainly struggle in the Premier League. Bruce will also probably bolster his attacking options before the end of the transfer window and that will probably mean that Proschwitz will spend the rest of the season in the reserves if he stays at the club. A move back to Germany could be on the cards for Proschwitz, who will hope that he can rekindle his form back in his native country.
Liverpool- Jordan Henderson
Henderson has struggled during his first two seasons at Liverpool, failing to live up to the transfer fee that the Reds paid for him. He has been given plenty of opportunities by the clubs managers but has failed to show the promise that he had at Sunderland. A move away from Anfield may help Henderson, who could re-group at a new club and try to get back to the level that he was at before his switch to the Reds. Brendan Rodgers has looked to bolster the Reds midfield this summer by signing young players like Luis Alberto and he will probably give these players an opportunity to shine as the season wears on. Liverpool are also still in the market for a new attacking midfielder, with the club interested in signing Brazilian Willian.
If Willian were to come to Anfield, it would mean that there is less of a chance of Henderson getting in the Liverpool first team. Henderson would like to try and force his way into England’s squad for next summers World Cup but to do that he needs to be playing regularly and playing at his best. He may not be able to do that Anfield, which means a move away maybe best for both Henderson and Liverpool.
Manchester City- Gareth Barry
Barry has arguably been one of Manchester City’s most important players over the last few seasons. He has helped start attacks with his passing skill in the midfield whilst also sitting in front of the defence, making sure that City are defensively sound. However, Barry is entering the twilight of his career and can no longer claim to be one the first names on City’s team sheet. The Sky Blues recently signing Fernandinho from Shakhtar Donetsk for £30 million and the Brazilian is thought to be a direct replacement for Barry.
Fernandinho will almost certainly start the first few games of the season, meaning Barry may have to get used to life on the City bench. Also, Barry only has one year remaining on his current contract with City and the club haven’t yet discussed a new deal with him, which suggests that City aren’t really interested in keeping the England international at the club. Barry has been linked with a loan move to Everton while former club Aston Villa are also reportedly considering bringing the midfielder back to Villa Park. Barry has been one of the most consistent players in the Premier League for awhile now but he may now need to move away from the Etihad in order to enjoy the final years of his career.
Manchester United- Nani
Nani has often been a frustrating figure for many United fans. There is no doubt that Nani possesses plenty of skill but he has often failed to show that for the Champions. Last season was particularly frustrating for Nani. He struggled to get into the Red Devils first team due to injury and could be set for another frustrating season at Old Trafford, with the likes of Antonio Valencia and Wilfred Zaha looking play as many games as possible for the Red Devils. Nani may have to accept that he needs to leave Old Trafford in order to fulfil his undoubted potential.
Monaco have been linked with a move for the Portuguese winger while Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has always been a fan of Nani and could be set to make a move for the player in the final days of the transfer window. Manchester United appear to be willing to let Nani go as David Moyes knows that he has plenty of attacking options on the wings that he can relay on. Nani still has plenty of potential and at 26 he still has time to show that but he may need a move in order to realise that potential.
Newcastle United- Shola Ameobi
Ameobi has been at Newcastle for many years now and is arguably one of the physical strikers currently playing in the Premier League. However, the striker is getting older and with manager Alan Pardew keen to add strikers to his squad this summer, Ameobi may have to move away from St James’s Park if he wants to get more first team football. Ameobi has said that he would like to have a run in the Newcastle first team so that he can try and break into Nigeria’s squad for next summers World Cup.
That is unlikely to happen, with the Magpies already having signed Loic Remy from QPR and there is the possibility that Newcastle may sign another striker before the end of the summer. Papiss Cisse is also above Ameobi in the Newcastle pecking order, so the strikers chances of a run in the Magpies first team appear to be slim. It would be hard for Ameobi to leave Newcastle, a club that he has been with for his entire career but it maybe necessary if he wants to play at next summers World Cup.
Norwich City- Bradley Johnson
Johnson has had an interesting career, spending time at the lower end of English football with the likes of Cambridge United and Northampton. He then spent time with Leeds United and Brighton before ending up with Norwich. Johnson has spent the last two seasons at Carrow Road but it seems that this summer he could be on the move. Johnson only has one year remaining on his current contract with Norwich and with the Canaries not wanting to let him leave for free next summer, the club could be forced into selling him.
Swansea are thought to be interested in signing the 26 year old, with manager Michael Laudrup keen to bolster his midfielder this summer. The Swans are reportedly ready to pay around £4 million for Johnson, a tempting offer considering the fact that the player will be out of contract next summer.
Southampton- Guly do Prado
Do Prado was an important member of the Southampton side that won promotion to the Premier League. He scored several important goals that helped the Saints get back into the top flight. However, Do Prado wasn’t so successful in the Premier League, struggling to find the net when the likes Rickie Lambert remained just as prolific as they had done in the Championship. Manager Manuel Pochettino is eager to sign a quality striker this summer so the club can build on a successful first season back in the Premier League. That could mean that Do Prado’s time at St Mary’s is up. That may not be such a bad thing for the striker, who could be set to move to a club that is playing in the Championship. Millwall and Leicester City are reportedly interested in signing the striker, who maybe able to get back to his best form if he is playing in the Championship.
Stoke City- Matthew Etherington
Etherington was a excellent signing for Stoke. A player who was quick and skilful and able to put it dangerous crosses for Stoke’s tall strikers to bang into the net. However, with age, Etherington has become less effective. He no longer possesses the pace that once made him an exceptionally dangerous winger. Etherington had an indifferent 2012/2013 season due to injuries and a loss of form and could struggle to get into new manager Mark Hughes first team.
This has lead to speculation that has suggested that Etherington could be leaving the Britannia Stadium this summer. The winger would love to go to club where he is guaranteed first team football but for that to happen he may need to drop down a division to the Championship.
Sunderland- David Vaughan
Vaughan looks to be surplus to requirements at Sunderland as manager Paulo Di Canio looks to improve his squad. The Black Cats narrowly missed relegation last season and Di Canio is determined to make sure that the club aren’t in that same position again. That means players like Vaughan could be on their way out of the Stadium of Light. The midfielder hasn’t been used much during pre-season by Di Canio, often finding himself on the bench. With the 30 year in the last year of his contract, Sunderland will want to sell Vaughan now in order to make some money out of him.
He has been linked with a move to Crystal Palace, where manager Ian Holloway is reportedly interested in being re-united with Vaughan. The pair formed a good relationship with each other during their time at Blackpool and Vaughan will hope that he gets more first team football at Palace than he done at Sunderland.
Swansea City- Luke Moore
Moore looks almost certain to leave Swansea this summer, with manager Michael Laudrup telling the striker that he can leave the club if he wants to. Swansea have already signed striker Wilfried Bony from Vitesse Arnhem this summer, meaning the chances of Moore getting first team football appear to be slim. Reports suggest that the 27 year old could be moving abroad, with Turkish club Elazygspor interested in bringing the striker to Turkey.
Several other clubs are also thought to be chasing the former Aston Villa striker, with a move down to the Championship thought to be a possibility. Moore will hope to resurrect his career at his new club as he will feel that at 27 he should be at his prime.
Tottenham Hotspur- Emmanuel Adebayor
Adebayor has been a frustrating figure for almost every club he has played for. That continues to be the case at Tottenham, with Adebayor failing to fire for Spurs last season. Manager Andre Villas-Boas is determined to get Spurs into the Premier League’s top four this season and is desperately looking to bolster his attacking options this summer. He has already signed Roberto Soldado for a club record fee but wants to sign another striker before the end of the transfer window. This could mean that Adebayor is surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane and will need to find another new club.
A move to Turkey has been muted, with Trabzonspor thought to be interested in signing the Togo striker. Despite Adebayor’s age, he is still a quality striker when he is at his best and will hope to get back to goal scoring form at his new club.
West Bromwich Albion- Peter Odemwingie
Odemwingie looked set to leave West Brom in January when he travelled down to QPR to try and force through a deal to the London based club. He failed in his attempts at signing for QPR and annoyed everyone at West Brom in the process. Since January, Odemwingie has spent most of his time on the bench at West Brom or in the clubs reserves team. It seems certain that Odemwingie will leave the Hawthorns this summer, with several reportedly interested in signing the 32 year old. Newly promoted sides Crystal Palace and Hull City are reportedly interested in Odemwingie.
Both need a quality striker to help them stay in the Premier League and feel that Odemwingie could be that man. A move to QPR is also a possibility, with Harry Redknapp wanting to sign a striker that will help the Hoops get back into the Premier League at the first attempt. Odemwingie is thought to be reluctant to move down a division but is desperate to leave West Brom so he need to consider playing in the Championship or risk spending more time the Hawthorns.
West Ham United- Ricardo Vaz Te
Vaz Te has spent a lot of his career playing the Premier League and has had his success. However, last season he failed to make an impact for West Ham, only scoring 3 goals in 18 starts for the Hammers. Sam Allardyce is eager to strengthen his attacking options this summer and has already signed Andy Carroll from Liverpool for a club record fee. This means that Vaz Te is unlikely to get much of a chance in the Hammers first team this season and may need to leave in order to get first team football.
West Ham are willing to sell the striker and will accept a bid of around £1.5 million for the Portuguese player. Nottingham Forest are reportedly interested in bringing Vaz Te to the City Ground as Billy Davies tries to bolster his attacking options before the end of the transfer window. Vaz Te may not want to drop down a division but playing in the Championship may help him get back to his best form and could help Forest gain promotion back into the Premier League.