Ten players who could seek a summer move in their clubs fail to qualify for the Champions League.
10. Hugo Lloris (Tottenham)
Worryingly for Spurs fans, the Frenchman has been making plenty of noises about the importance of Champions League football and, barring a miracle, he won’t be getting it at White Hart Lane next term. PSG and AS Monaco are both lacking a superstar between the sticks and both have been linked with the France captain. Spurs won’t want to lose Lloris, 27, but a bidding war between the two richest clubs in European football will doubtless appeal to their profit-hungry chairman Daniel Levy.
9. Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad)
The Frenchman has lit up La Liga with his performance on the wing for Real Sociedad and has the opportunity to further enhance his growing reputation at this summer’s World Cup. The 23-year-old has already been linked with a host of big clubs across Europe and with Sociedad likely to miss out on Champions League football next season, a move in the summer looks increasingly likely.
8. Fredy Guarin (Inter Milan)
Inter failed to find a buyer for the long-shot specialist in January, despite reports Chelsea were keen on the Colombian. With the club likely to miss out on a place in UEFA’s premier club competition next season, it could be Guarin who is agitating for a move this summer.
7. Ross Barkley (Everton)
The Everton star can further enhance his burgeoning reputation if, as expected, he is included in Roy Hodgson’s World Cup squad for this summer’s tournament in Brazil. The attacking midfielder came through the ranks at Goodison Park and doesn’t seem the type to kick up a fuss. But if a Champions League club comes in for Barkley this summer and he starts believing the hype, the youngster may demand a switch.
6. Max Kruse (Borussia Monchengladbach)
The 26-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach striker has been one of the stars of this season’s Bundesliga, bagging 11 goals plus seven assists. With the club in a battle to secure Champions League football, Kruse may decide he wants to try his hand at the highest level should they miss out.
5. Guiseppe Rossi (Fiorentina)
Fiorentina are currently on course for a top four finish but in Italy, unlike England, that will not be enough for Champions League football; only the top three make the cut. Rossi has been a revelation for La Viola this season, bagging 14 Serie A goals in just 18 starts. There are several top clubs in need of a new striker this season and Rossi could be tempted to move on, should a Champions League club come calling.
4. Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
For Ozil, the prospect of missing out on Champions League football was inconceivable during his four years (??) at Real Madrid. The German has found several aspects of the Premier League tougher than La Liga since his £42.3m move to Arsenal last summer, however, and, with the Gunners on the ropes, he is facing the prospect of Europa League football next term. Regardless of his struggles this season, the 25-year-old remains a sublime player who deserves to be playing at the highest level. If Arsenal miss out on the place in the top four, Ozil could consider his future.
3. Mario Balotelli (AC Milan)
The maverick Italian made the Premier League a far more exciting place during his stint with Manchester City and there have been rumblings that he could return to England this summer. Balotelli exploded onto the scene when he returned to the city of Milan in January 2013 and has continued his fine goal-scoring form this season, despite Milan’s struggles. Balotelli thrives in the limelight and, with Milan certain to miss out on European football next season, he may seek a summer exit.
2. Robin van Persie (Man United)
There have been rumblings about a breakdown in Van Persie’s relationship with David Moyes since last year – fervently denied by both parties, of course – and the striker has also been openly critical of his teammates in recent months. At 31 (??), the injury-hit front-man may only have another one or two years at the top and he’ll want to be playing at the very highest level. A big move to Juventus is an option but United could still offer him a whopping new deal, as they did with Wayne Rooney.
1. Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)
The Belgian has looked visibly mutinous for the majority of Spurs’ disappointing season and has stressed the importance of playing in the Champions League. Liverpool have been linked with the Belgium international, who has had a poor league campaign but can put himself in the shop window at this summer’s World Cup. Tottenham are more likely to favour a sale abroad if Vertonghen pushes for an exit, however.
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