Ten Premier League stars destined for summer moves.
10. Papiss Cisse – Newcastle United
The Senegalese hitman was at one point a highly potent, highly sought after Premier League goal machine, but that all seems like a long time ago now as he looks about as threatening as a kitten wearing a tutu.
Several clubs from overseas had reportedly made enquiries for his services in January, but due to the striker shortage at St James’ Park all enquiries were rebuffed. However, with move time over the summer, he will likely be made available for the right price to try and resurrect his career elsewhere.
9. Darren Bent – Aston Villa
The former England man joined Villa in a deal thought to be worth an estimated £24m just two years ago, but found himself out of favour under Paul Lambert thanks in part to the electric form of Christian Benteke.
Not wanting to sit on the bench for another year he was loaned out to Fulham this term, where he has failed to rediscover his prolific touch. With just over a year remaining on his deal at Villa Park a club in need of a goalscorer could move to make a cut price deal.
8. Iago Aspas – Liverpool
Some moves just don’t work out, and if there was a definition of that in a dictionary then this would be the prime example.
The Spaniard helped keep a plucky Celta Vigo side in the top flight last season and caught Brendan Rodgers’ eye in the process. A quick deal was made but just hasn’t been worth the outlay as he is still yet to find a goal and is subsequently finding game time at Anfield difficult. He will most likely head back to Spain in the summer as Valencia and Celta showed an initial interest in bringing him back.
7. Micah Richards – Manchester City
Sometimes it feels like the Gods are working against you; and Richards must know all about that. A stream of injuries have taken their toll on the versatile defender, and coupled with the excellent form of Pablo Zabaleta the England hopeful just hasn’t been able to get a decent run of games under his belt.
But despite that, he still has a series of admirers both at home and overseas, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see one of them make a move for him at the end of the season.
6. Demba Ba – Chelsea
Like his old buddy up in Newcastle, Ba must be longing for the days when he was feared for being so prolific. Sadly, the longer he stays at Chelsea the less likely that looks as though it will happen.
Jose Mourinho has already made fast work of rebuilding his squad since returning and has taken care of virtually every position bar up front. That is set to change at the end of the season, and unfortunately for Ba it will be him that is sacrificed in favour of a much bigger fish.
5. Nani – Manchester United
The Portuguese winger hasn’t adapted to life under David Moyes so well this season and has often found himself playing a smaller part that he would like (or than he is used to) and the only option now could be to move on.
Several clubs, both in the Premier League and in Europe made enquiries for him over the summer, and should United eventually decide to cash in on him at the end of the season then he can count the likes of Inter Milan, Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur amongst his admirers.
4. Jack Rodwell – Manchester City
Rodwell can be used as a prime example of warning to young English talent that are seduced by the millions on offer at the Etihad as he now faces an uphill struggle to regain the credibility he once had as one of they country’s most exciting midfielders.
Injuries haven’t helped either, and like his teammate Micah Richards, he has fallen behind in the pecking order thanks to the club’s extensive recruitment policy. If he can’t make a comeback before May, he will almost certainly e put up for sale. Luckily for him there are undoubtedly a number of Premier League sides that would snap City’s hand off for him.
3. John Obi Mikel – Chelsea
Mikel is one of those strange players that consistently justifies his place in the squad of a top side without really doing anything spectacular to show you why.
However, like Ba, he is set to become the latest player in the squad to see his place come under threat thanks to Mourinho’s recent shopping spree and in all likelihood he won’t have a great deal more to do this term with Nemanja Matic gunning for his place. Often linked with a move to Italy, there will undoubtedly be several clubs willing to pay a healthy fee to land his signature.
2. Thomas Vermaelen – Arsenal
The Belgian skipper amazing still finds himself as the club captain despite not being able to break the stranglehold on the central defensive positions in Arsene Wenger’s starting line up.
A move away has been touted, with Napoli said to be the favourites to snap him up. Many thought he would go in January as he still hopes to be one of the key men in Belgium’s World Cup campaign this summer.
1. Javier Hernandez – Manchester United
The Mexican must be wondering what he has to do to get a game this season, as his previous goalscoring record doesn’t seem to be enough to make David Moyes trust him.
With his World Cup spot under threat he demanded to be let go, but the club relented. However, his wishes are most likely to be granted at the end of the season when Moyes will be able to manoeuvre in the transfer market.
It’s a sad way to go out for a player that will score for fun if given a run in the side, but there comes a time when we all must move on in life, and Hernandez can walk away with his head held high.
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