The ten biggest transfer deals that will almost certainly go ahead this summer.
Every summer there are big moves to be made, large sums of money to change hands and new names to put on the back of shirts, and this summer transfer window is already shaping up to be one of the biggest. With the World Cup acting as the shop window, several clubs have already made early steps to add to their squads, but here are the ten biggest that are still on course to go ahead in the coming weeks.
10. Dejan Lovren – Southampton to Liverpool
With Rickie Lambert already there, and Adam Lalland just days away from joining him, the south coast exodus to Anfield will likely be complete with the Croatian international rounding things off. The Reds are in dire need of some new defensive units next season after struggling to find a winning combination at the back last term. Liverpool may face a battle to bring him on board, but he didn’t hand in a transfer request to be able to join anyone else, did he?
9. Mathieu Debuchy – Newcastle United to Arsenal
Following the departure of Bacary Sagna to defending Premier League champions Manchester City, Arsene Wenger is acutely aware that he will need replacing with someone capable of living up to the high standards he had set. So who better to bring on board that the heir to Sagna’s place within the France national team? Debuchy has been putting in star performances with the Magpies, and though Roma and Bayern Munich are also keen to bring him on board he will be tempted by the prospect of being Wenger’s undisputed first choice in the position.
8. Javier Hernandez – Manchester United to Tottenham Hotspur
The Mexican striker’s star has fallen dramatically over the past year and now he even struggles to get into his national team’s line up after being a nailed on starter for so long. However, he has proved that he can still score freely if given game time, and with Spurs eager to replace misfiring duo Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado this summer Hernandez represents an ideal solution for all involved.
7. Paul Pogba – Juventus to Chelsea
Manchester United probably didn’t expect Pogba’s career to go into overdrive so quickly, and subsequently they probably didn’t expect to see him heading back to the Premier League with one of their main rivals. Juventus have insisted that the French ace won’t be going anywhere this summer, having already fended off interest from Real Madrid, but as Chelsea have already shown this summer they aren’t afraid to spend big on their transfer targets. Pogba will be no different, and if Abramovich becomes determined to bring him on board, then he’ll likely get his man.
6. Angel Di Maria – Real Madrid to Arsenal
The Argentine looks set to be the latest Madrid star that the club are bafflingly willing to move on this summer, and his next destination will almost definitely be the Premier League. Manchester United had been keen to bring him on board, but as they continue to flirt with bringing his teammate Sami Khedira to the club the path has been cleared for the Gunners to make their move. Di Maria is currently with his country at the World Cup, and has dropped a huge hint that his future lies away from the Spanish capital.
5. Xherdan Shaqiri – Bayern Munich to Liverpool
The Swiss star has found himself surplus to requirements in Bavaria and now looks likely to be heading to Anfield. The Reds are willing to offer him a huge contract and a chance to showcase his talents on a more regular basis in the Premier League. The two are close to agreeing a deal, and meeting Bayern’s £15m valuation will prove to be a mere formality once Shaqiri has agreed to the terms.
4. Lars Bender – Bayer Leverkusen to Arsenal
There German star has been on Wenger’s radar for some time now, and knowing the he is in desperate need for a true defensive midfielder he is likely to step up his chase in the coming weeks. Wenger is well aware that he can’t dawdle in the transfer market this time around as fans will be expecting him to build on their FA Cup victory by adding another title quickly, though a move for Bender will likely bring Mikel Arteta’s tenure at the club to an end.
3. Arturo Vidal – Juventus to Manchester United
United have been keen on Vidal since January, and now that Louis Van Gaal is in charge United have a manager capable of attracting exciting players to the club once again. Though he may have a job selling the move to the Chilean star without European football as bait, but it is expected that United will be able to make a genuine push for the Premier League title without the added distraction and offering Vidal the chance to be a key player in an exciting project will no doubt be a big bonus.
2. Alexis Sanchez – Barcelona to Liverpool
It’s amazing to think that Barcelona are willing to let the exciting forward leave this summer as he has been so impressive in Lionel Messi’s absence. However, the Reds could be set to take advantage of his availability by bagging him as part of a bigger deal that would see their star striker go the other way. Speaking of which…
1. Luis Suarez – Liverpool to Barcelona
The Uruguayan’s move to Spain looked to be on before he received his ban, but with Liverpool being rumoured to be willing to let him move on after one too many indiscretions the Blaugrana could be in line to take advantage of his availability by making a reduced offer and sending Alexis Sanchez in the opposite direction. Furthermore, Suarez has family in the city, and four months away from football will be lonely without them around.
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