A look at ten potential foreign imports that could happen before the end of the transfer window.
10. Paul Pogba (Juventus)
The former Manchester United youngster has developed into a top player in his time in Serie A with Juventus. Already a champion with the Italian club, Pogba’s stock has risen considerably this summer and he has been targeted by the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City. His combination of aggression, energy and skill in the middle of the park have seen him draw inevitable comparisons with Yaya Toure, and it would not be surprising to see Pogba use his abilities to good effect in the Premier League, bossing midfields like City’s Ivorian star. French giants Monaco are also said to be tracking him, but could he be tempted to return to England and show United they were wrong to let him go? He would command a fee now of around £20million, but at 20 years of age, he looks to have a long and bright future in the game.
9. Samuel Eto’o (Anzhi Makhachkala)
With Chelsea possibly losing hope in their high-profile pursuit of unsettled Manchester United star Wayne Rooney, it seems that Anzhi Makhachkala striker Samuel Eto’o could be next on their list to solve their striking problems. With Fernando Torres and Demba Ba still not looking truly capable of leading theline for the Blues, 32-year-old Eto’o could be a great short-term option before youngster Romelu Lukaku is ready to step up to the plate on a more regular basis. Eto’o himself has welcomed the link with Chelsea, saying it would be great to work with Jose Mourinho again after their immense success together at Inter Milan. With financial problems hitting Anzhi, the Russian club are keen to sell, and could part with the former Barcelona man for just £5million, which has also seen Manchester United and Newcastle show some interest, though his massive £300,000-a-week wages could prove to be a stumbling block in a deal.
8. Toby Alderweireld (Ajax)
Highly-rated Ajax defender Toby Alderweireld has been widely tipped to be leaving the Amsterdam club this summer, with plenty of English clubs said to be showing an interest. After a proposed move to Roma fell through, the Belgian has been linked with Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Everton, so he won’t be short of suitors from this league if he does decide to move on. Able to play as a centre-back or right-back, Alderweireld is a typically versatile and technically gifted product of Ajax’s famous youth system, and could follow in the footsteps of former team-mate and fellow countryman Jan Vertonghen in making the seamless transition to Premier League football. The pair could even rekindle their partnership at White Hart Lane if things work out.
7. Adil Rami (Valencia)
Widely regarded to be one of the most solid centre-backs in La Liga, French international Adil Rami is keen on an exit from Valencia this summer in a bid to boost his chances of a place in France’s World Cup squad next summer. The 27-year-old has been with the Spanish side for two years now after moving from Lille, and is now thought to fancy a spell in the Premier League. Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City have all been linked with him at various points this summer, and there could still be time for a move to materialise as all three clubs are still chasing signings as the transfer window draws to a close. Available at a knock-down price of around £5million, Rami would surely represent one of the bargains of the summer for whoever lands him. Arsenal fans will be hoping it’s them, as their need for a new defender is arguably the greatest at the moment.
6. Geoffrey Kondogbia (Sevilla)
Arsenal have reportedly stepped up their interest in Sevilla starlet Geoffrey Kondogbia, and are willing to meet his minimum release clause fee of around £17million. The young Frenchman looks an outstanding prospect, and would certainly help fill the void still left by Alex Song in Arsenal’s midfield. Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey have tried and failed to convert to that more defensive role in the midfield engine room, and with Arteta now an injury doubt for the next six weeks anyway, reinforcements are definitely needed in this area. Manchester United and Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in the 20-year-old, though the Gunners now seem to be leading the chase for his signature. Either way, the young French international seems likely to make the move to England sooner or later.
5. Stephan El Shaarawy (AC Milan)
One of the most exciting young players in the world, AC Milan forward Stephan El Shaarawy has unsurprisingly attracted a lot of interest during this summer’s transfer window. Arsenal were linked with a surprise bid for him back in January, but big-spenders Chelsea and Manchester City have shown the most interest in him in the last few months. Still only 20, the Italian international has been a top performer in Serie A for a couple of years now, and could be valued at over £30million by Milan, who turned down player-swap offers from both Chelsea and City involving Fernando Torres and Carlos Tevez. City have since strengthened considerably, but Chelsea’s continued search for a striker and failure to land Wayne Rooney could see them go back in for El Shaarawy before the end of the summer. Also capable of playing as a winger, the youngster looks all set to emulate the success of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and would be a big hit in the Premier League.
4. Pepe (Real Madrid)
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is keen on strengthening his defence after a few suspect performances at the back from his side in pre-season. With Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic now out injured, their need for reinforcements is even greater. Adil Rami, as already mentioned, could be one of City’s backup targets, but Pellegrini seems keen to raid his old club Real Madrid for their experienced Portuguese centre-back Pepe. City have already had a bid of around £18million rejected by the Spanish giants for their key player, but it is thought that they could be willing to sell him for just over £20million. Another former Real Madrid boss, Jose Mourinho, has also been linked with bringing him to Chelsea at points this summer, though if he moves to England the Etihad Stadium seems his more likely destination.
3. Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
Another Real Madrid star who could be on the way out is long-serving and legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas. After a falling out with Jose Mourinho last season, the Spanish World Cup winner spent much of the season watching from the bench, and this trend surprisingly seems set to continue under new manager Carlo Ancelotti. Undoubtedly one of the most naturally gifted as well as decorated ‘keepers ever to play the game, Casillas would be a great signing if Real are seriously considering selling him. Arsenal have been linked with the 32-year-old, as have Manchester United, and both would benefit greatly from his signing, even if United have a talented young shot stopper in David de Gea. At £15million, Casillas’ signing would be foolish to miss out on, and it’ll be interesting to see if this rumour comes to anything before the close of the transfer window.
2. Jackson Martinez (Porto)
This prolific Colombian striker has had an excellent debut season in Portugal with Porto, and has now won himself admirers all over Europe. The 26-year-old scored 34 goals in 43 games for Porto last season, and was eyed up as a potential replacement for Robert Lewandowski at Borussia Dortmund earlier this summer, before that saga eventually resolved itself. Interest in England has come mostly from Liverpool, Tottenham and, more recently, Chelsea, who see him as another potential candidate to improve their strike force if they fail to land their main target Wayne Rooney. Martinez looks to have all the qualities to be a success in any league in the world, and is available for £35million – his release clause with the Portuguese club. Chelsea certainly have the money, and a late deal for this talented forward could still be on the cards in the coming weeks.
1. Erik Lamela (Roma)
In a sensational summer of spending at Tottenham, Roma starlet Erik Lamela looks like he could be the next big thing on his way to the Premier League. The 21-year-old had an excellent breakthrough season in Serie A last year, contributing 15 goals and 6 assists playing either upfront or out wide. With Spurs set to have money in abundance to spend following the £93million sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid, rumour has it that Lamela could join soon, with a £30million fee agreed between the two clubs. Linking up with other big-name signings such as Willian, Roberto Soldado and Paulinho, Lamela will complete a world class attacking lineup at White Hart Lane, and a summer of great business done by Andre Villas-Boas, who has used the foreign market expertly.