Part Four: Ten Transfers That Could Be Completed Before The Transfer Window Closes

The transfer window is set to close on September 2nd and there are still several transfer deals that could be completed before then. Here are ten deals that could be completed before the transfer window closes.

Fabio Coentrao- Real Madrid to Tottenham

Coentrao was brought to Real Madrid by Jose Mourinho a couple of years ago, with many at the Spanish giants thinking the Portuguese left back would provide plenty of competition for Marcelo. However, Coentrao has struggled at Madrid, failing to get into the first team on enough occasions. Coentrao has taken the departure of Mourinho from Madrid as his cue to move away from the Santiago Bernabeu, with the clubs new manager Carlo Ancelotti announcing Coentrao’s intention to leave the club earlier in August.

Coentrao wants to move to a club that will give him plenty of first team football before next summer’s World Cup and reports suggest that the left back is interested in a move to the Premier League. Coentrao’s most likely destination appears to be to Tottenham, where he could link up with Portuguese coach Andre Villas-Boas. It was thought that Coentrao would be used as a make weight in Madrid’s move for Gareth Bale but it seems that Spurs will now attempt to sign the left back in a deal that will be separate to Bale’s transfer to Madrid.

Jermain Defoe- Tottenham to Stoke City

Defoe has been one of the most consistent goal scorers in the Premier League for many years. However, last season, Defoe struggled to break into Spurs first team and scored most of his goals when coming off the bench. Defoe’s chances of first team football this season seem slim as Tottenham recently signed prolific Spanish striker Roberto Soldado from Valencia for £25 million. Defoe still wants to play for England and would dearly love to be on the plane to Brazil for next summer’s World Cup. His place in that England squad will be under threat if he can’t play enough games for Tottenham.

Speculation has mounted that Defoe may leave White Hart Lane before the transfer window closes, with Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas happy to let the striker leave the club. Stoke City could make a move for Defoe in the final days of the transfer window, with manager Mark Hughes looking to partner Peter Crouch with the Defoe. Spurs will play hard ball over Defoe’s valuation and will look to get at least £6 million for the England international.

Nani- Manchester United to Juventus

The Portuguese winger has been a frustrating figure for many fans at Manchester United. Nani unquestionably possesses plenty of talent but he has struggled to show that on enough occasions, often wasting the opportunity to put in good crosses. United recently signed Wilfred Zaha from Crystal Palace and the young Englishman is likely to get an opportunity to impress in the Red Devils starting line-up, meaning Nani may have to sit on the bench this season. Reports suggest that United manager David Moyes would be quite happy to let Nani leave this summer and the Portuguese international may just do that.

Juventus are reportedly readying an £11 million bid for Nani, an offer United maybe tempted to accept as they could use that money to sign a quality central midfield player. For Nani, it maybe an opportunity for him to re-start his career at a new club where he will probably get more first team opportunities than he would at United. It will also mean that he can keep his place in the Portuguese national team for next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

Martin Demichelis- Atletico Madrid to Manchester City

Manchester City have been looking to sign a quality centre back for awhile now. They currently have Jolean Lescott as the only fully fit central defender in their squad and manager Manuel Pellegrini had to use Javi Garcia as a makeshift centre back in the Sky Blues game with Cardiff City on Sunday. Manchester City lost that match 3-2 and the team’s defensive frailties were shown up by the newly promoted side. Pellegrini is hoping to strengthen his defence by signing Demichelis, who was one of his key players during his time at Malaga.

The Argentine only recently joined Atletico but looks certain to join Pellegrini at the Etihad before the transfer window closes. The transfer would have gone through sooner but City have reportedly been haggling over the Argentine’s transfer. Demichelis could be exactly the type of defender that City are looking for, having experience and a toughness that should serve him well in the Premier League.

William Gallas- Tottenham to Crystal Palace

Gallas is one of the most experienced defenders currently operating in the Premier League, having played for Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham. Crystal Palace hope that the experienced Frenchman will join them this summer so that he can strengthen their leaky defence. Eagles manager Ian Holloway is desperate to strengthen his squad by signing several quality players before the transfer window closes and signing Gallas would certainly be a major coup for the former Blackpool boss. Gallas was released by Tottenham at the end of last season and would join Palace on a free transfer.

However, the Frenchman will more than likely demand big wages if he were to move to Selhurst Park. These big wages maybe worth it as Gallas has the experience and the quality to really help Palace stay in the Premier League, something that has looked beyond them during their first two matches of the Premier League season. If Holloway can sign Gallas and a couple of other players, then Palace maybe able to get back on the road to survival.

Mamadou Sakho- Paris St Germain to Liverpool

Sakho played a key role in helping Paris St Germain win their first Ligue 1 title since 1994 last season. However, the Frenchman looks set to leave the Parc des Princes this summer because he is worried that he won’t get enough first team football in Laurent Blanc’s team this season. PSG recently signed Brazilian defender Marquinhos, meaning Sakho will more than likely lose his place in the Paris St Germain starting line-up. Marquinhos is one of the best young defenders in the world and it is thought that Laurent Blanc will want to give the 19 year old a long run in the PSG  first team.

Reports suggest that Sakho has already asked Blanc to leave, and the French manager is ready to let the defender leave. Sakho could be on his way to the Premier League, with Liverpool showing plenty of interest in the Frenchman. Manager Brendan Rodgers has been looking to sign a new defender all summer as a replacement for Jamie Carragher, who recently retired. He has highlighted the Frenchman as a potential signing and looks set to make a move for him before the transfer window closes on September 2nd. Sakho knows he faces a battle to get into France’s team for next summer’s World Cup and will be looking to start plenty of games should he make the move to Anfield.

Christian Atsu- Porto to Chelsea

The young winger is one of the most sort after players coming into the final days of this summer’s transfer window, with several teams thought to be plotting bids for him. Atsu could be available for as little as £3.5 million due to his refusal to sign a new contract with Porto. The Portuguese side don’t want to let one of their best players leave the club for free next summer and are desperate to cash in on him now and at least get some kind of transfer fee for him. Liverpool have been long time admirers of Atsu but have so failed to come to an agreement with Porto about how much Atsu should cost.

This has let Chelsea into the race to sign the Ghanaian winger and reports on Wednesday suggested that the Blues had agreed a fee with Porto to get their man. Chelsea have a number of play-makers in their side so Atsu could be sent out on loan in order to gain some more first team experience. However, it looks as though Atsu’s long term future will be with Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.

Javier Hernandez- Manchester United to Tottenham

Hernandez is arguably one of the most clinical strikers in the Premier League, being able to score goals even though he doesn’t start many matches for Manchester United. However, despite being part of several successful teams at United, it is believed that Hernandez would like to play more first team football. It looks like he still won’t get that at Old Trafford, with manager David Moyes looking set to play Robin Van Persie  up front with Wayne Rooney this season. This has led to speculation that Hernandez may look to move away from United before the transfer window closes and Tottenham are believed to be interested in signing the Mexican. Tottenham will look to give Hernandez the opportunity to play first team football and the Mexican could form a partnership with Spurs new signing Roberto Soldado.

However, both Tottenham and United value Hernandez differently. United will only accept a bid of around £15 million for the Mexican while Tottenham want to pay between £7-8 million. A deal could still be struck between the two clubs but they may have to hurry if they want to complete the transfer before September 2nd.

Bafetimbi Gomis- Lyon to Newcastle United

Newcastle have been desperate to sign a quality striker all summer. Demba Ba left the club in January and manager Alan Pardew hasn’t been able to replace the striker. That showed in Newcastle’s performance in the second half of last season, when the club flirted with relegation. Although Newcastle have signed Loic Remy on loan from QPR, Pardew still wants to sign another striker before the transfer window closes on 2nd September. One of their main targets is Lyon front-man Bafetimbi Gomis. The Magpies were close to signing Gomis earlier in the transfer window but the deal fell through.

However, Newcastle are reportedly back in for Gomis and are hoping to get the deal done before the window closes. Gomis will reportedly be available for around £7 million, which is a bargain considering Gomis’s record in Ligue 1. Lyon want to sell the striker before the transfer window closes because Gomis has refused to sign a new contract with them. Gomis would be able to leave for free next summer if Lyon can’t sell him now or in the January transfer window, so the French club will be hoping that Gomis can agree to sign for Newcastle soon.

Toby Alderweireld- Ajax to Liverpool

Alderweireld has been a highly influential member of Frank De Boer’s Ajax side for a few years now but it appears that the Belgian’s time with the Dutch club is over. Alderweireld only has one year remaining on his current contract with Ajax and it appears that he is unlikely to sign a new deal, meaning the Dutch club need to sell the defender now or risk losing him on a free transfer next summer. Liverpool have been linked with Alderweireld all summer and they could make a move for Belgian in the last days of the transfer window.

Alderweireld has rejected several possible moves this summer, saying that he will move to a new club that he thinks has ambition. Liverpool certainly have that and plenty of history to go with it. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is desperately looking for a defender to replace the recently retired Jamie Carragher and there aren’t many better candidates than Alderweireld, who could become one of the best defenders in Europe.