Ten stars who will be playing for a big move in Brazil.
10. Paulinho (Tottenham/Brazil)
Anyone who has seen Paulinho in a Tottenham shirt would not believe they were watching a nailed-on starter for Brazil. The goal-scoring midfielder earned a £17m move to White Hart Lane with some eye-catching displays in last summer’s Confederations Cup, where he was named the third best player, but Paulinho been largely dismal for Spurs. The 25-year-old admitted this week that he is unhappy in North London, but some strong performances for the hosts should see Spurs recoup their cash, with a move to Spain or Italy a possibility.
9. Julio Cesar (QPR/Brazil)
It seems baffling that another hero of Brazil’s Confederations Cup winning campaign, and nailed-on starter, could not find a new club last summer; the Selecao’s number one spent six months rotting in the reserves before joining Toronto FC on loan in January. At 34, Cesar is surely still too young to move to the semi-retirement of MLS permanently and the goalkeeper will be hoping to remind the world of his considerable talents at this summer’s tournament.
8. Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal/Belgium)
The captain’s curse is likely to strike Arsenal again this summer…but one will mourn this time. Belgian international Vermaelen is very much third choice centre half at the Emirates Stadium and has already made it clear he will seek a new club in the summer. After just five Premier League starts, the 28-year-old will need a strong World Cup for Marc Wilmots’ fancied Belgian side to remind Europe’s top clubs of his talents.
7. Javier Hernandez (Manchester United/Mexico)
‘Little Pea’ has made no secret of his unhappiness at Old Trafford this season, having been given fewer chances under David Moyes than his predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson. In fairness to Moyes, the diminutive poacher has failed to make an impression in the majority of his 19 appearances (15 as a sub) in the Premier League this season but a strong World Cup for Mexico will surely see the 25-year-old earn a move to another top club.
6. Alan Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow/Russia)
The Russian playmaker resisted a big move after Euro 2012, despite finishing as the tournament’s joint top scorer with three goals. Dzagoev is now 23 and will surely be eyeing a switch away from CSKA Moscow, where he has been since 2008. Another strong tournament with Russia could see the forward finally earn a big-money switch.
5. Christian Benteke (Aston Villa/Belgium)
Tottenham were linked with a £25m move for Benteke last sumer after the bulldozing striker enjoyed a stunning debut season in the Premier League. The 23-year-old opted to remain at Villa Park and sign a new contract, but he has failed to hit the same heights this term, with just nine league goals to his name. A big tournament with Belgium, however, could restore Benteke’s reputation and see him earn a big move away from the Midlands club.
4. Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad/France)
The Frenchman has already put himself in the shop window with 15 La Liga goals from the wing for Sociedad this season, attracting the attention of some of Europe’s top clubs. The 23-year-old has been unable to prove his class on the international stage, however, after being banned by Les Blues for over a year after breaking curfew on under-21 duty. Griezmann’s exile is now over and a big tournament for France should convince his suitors he’s worth spending big on this summer.
3. Loic Remy (QPR/France)
Like Cesar, Remy is still on the books at QPR but is certain to leave in the summer, regardless of whether the Hoops secure promotion. The 27-year-old has been a shining light on loan in an inconsistent Newcastle United side, bagging 13 league goals, but has admitted he hopes to be playing in the Champions League next season. A few goals for Les Blues in front of the watching world should do those hopes no harm at all.
2. Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham/Belgium)
Classy defender Vertonghen has also admitted he wants to be playing in the Champions League next season, but that is extremely unlikely to happen at Spurs. Unfortunately for the Belgian, any elite scouts watching him at White Hart Lane won’t have been too impressed with his club form, so a big World Cup for Marc Wilmots’ side will be essential if he is to bag his big move.
1. Joel Campbell (Arsenal/Costa Rica)
The Costa Rica striker has already put himself in the shop window with a stunning goal against Manchester United in the Champions League for loan club Olympiacos. But that alone seems unlikely to be enough to earn him a spot in Arsenal’s squad this summer. Strong performances in the group stage against England, Italy and Uruguay may go some way to changing Arsene Wenger’s mind and attracting new suitors, however.