Ten big summer transfers that would improve a Premier League club’s title hopes.
Every summer the biggest clubs in every league are linked with lucrative moves for some of the world’s top talent. With this year being a World Cup year, the rumours are flying stronger than ever, so CaughtOffside have sought to seek out ten of the biggest transfers this summer that would improve a club’s title aspirations to analyse and figure out just what it is that they would bring to their new side.
10. Mathieu Debuchy – Newcastle United to Arsenal
The Story – Who better to replace the departed Bacary Sagna that the man who has replaced him at international level? The flying full-back has been the jewell in Newcastle’s crown ever since compatriot Yohan Cabaye left in January, however, after struggling for so long, he’ll be looking to move on over the summer to a club able to offer him Champions League football.
What will he bring? – Class, style, and a telepathic positional sense. He’s already got bags of Premier League experience and has featured in the Champions League already, too – something that fellow potential right-back Serge Aurier has none of. At 28, he’ll still have enough time to establish himself as a long term regular at the club before hitting that dreaded 30 mark.
How likely? – 7/10
9. Loic Remy – Queens Park Rangers to Tottenham Hotspur
The story – With Remy on the outs at QPR despite their return to the Premier League, he has been linked heavily with a switch to Arsenal. However, in recent days new Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has been casting the net to see who he can bring in to boost the club’s ailing front line. An £8m bid has been touted, but he’ll surely leave for a team capable of offering Champions League football, right?
What will he bring? – Pace, and lots of it. Remy has shown that he is adept at working his way into one-on-one situations and keeping a cool head when it comes to slotting the ball home. He was probably the main reason Newcastle stayed up last season, and once he joins a club that will allow him to settle he will surely become a real Premier League danger man in the coming seasons.
How likely? – 6/10
8. Memphis Depay – PSV Eindhoven to Manchester United
The story – Memphis Depay is possible the most exciting Dutch winger to come out of the Eredivise since Arjen Robben first emerged. Quick, intelligent, and armed with a devastating eye for goal, he has been linked with a move to join new United boss Louis Van Gaal in the coming weeks. Depay is currently impressing under LVG at the World Cup, so he will be guaranteed the knowledge that his new boss would be able to get the best out of him.
What would he bring? – An excitement that has been left missing in the recent years as Ashley Young and Nani have struggled to replicate the form that first earned them moves to the club in the first place. He’s a different breed to the young players the club currently posses and already looks like a seasoned pro. He has recently said that he won’t address the rumours regarding his future until after the season draws to a close, but you can bet that Van Gaal will be in his ear while he makes up his mind.
How likely? – 9/10
7. Eliaquim Mangala – Porto to Manchester City
The Story – The young French international has been one of the most sought after defenders in Europe for the better part of a year, and though he earlier expressed a desire to join either Chelsea or Manchester United as opposed to the champions, the other clubs have moved their interest on elsewhere and he now looks set to join up with City as Manuel Pellegini steps up his chase.
What would he bring? – Strength, recovery pace and a youthful exuberance that would be honed alongside the best mentor any defender could have in the shape of Vincent Kompany. At times he has been likened to an overly energetic doberman in that he will run all day, but more than likely into a patio window, but as he matures that will be channeled in the right way leaving him to live up to that billing as one of the world’s best.
How likely? – 7/10
6. Mario Mandzukic – Bayern Munich to Arsenal
The story – Mandzukic displaced Mario Gomez at the Alianz Arena two years ago, but is now about to learn what goes around comes around as Borussia Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski is set to do the same to him, thus freeing him up for one lucky club to pounce and land themselves a real threat in front of goal. His agent has been spotted in London, and talks with the Gunners have been going ahead since Croatia’s involvement in the World Cup came to a premature end.
What would he bring? – Power, movement, and a killer instinct. Arsenal are in desperate need of strikers, having only Olivier Giroud to lead the front line, and the Croatian would be an excellent outlet for the creative midfield talent that would surround him. His game is different to the Frenchman’s, and there is even a chance that they could provide excellent foil for one another.
How likely? – 8/10
5. Arturo Vidal – Juventus to Manchester United
The story – Vidal has been lauded as one of the most influential midfielders in Europe over the past two years as Juventus continue to dominate Serie A. His form naturally attracts interest, which Juve manage to fend off, but after a star turn at the World Cup despite only being half fit the offers are set to come thick and fast. New United boss Louis Van Gaal is said to be a fan, and will sanction a big money move for the Chilean now that the South Americans are out of the tournament.
What would he bring? – A versatile player who played several different roles in his early years, Vidal eventually found his position at Juventus as a box-to-box midfielder capable of assisting his teammates in both defense and attack. With United in desperate need of someone to control the play going through the middle, there would be few better qualified than Vidal.
How likely? – 6/10
4. Diego Costa – Atletico Madrid to Chelsea
The story – The Spanish international lit up La Liga last season and made sure Atleti felt no hangover from Radamel Falcao’s exit to Monaco. He went one better and lead the line to the title, erasing the Colombian to be a mere memory. He has since said that he now considers himself a Chelsea player, but despite Spain’s exit from the World Cup over two weeks ago now, the deal has still yet to be announced.
What would he bring? – Goals. Everyone knows the problems the Blues have had from their frontline this term, and his physical attributes mean that he would adapt to life in England with minimal fuss.
How likely? – 10/10
3. Xherdan Shaqiri – Bayern Munich to Liverpool
The story – The Swiss international had become one of Europe’s hottest young stars while at FC Basel, but since making the move to Germany has seen his career stall somewhat and at 22 is aware that he needs to be playing regularly in order to develop into the player that many hope he can be. A deal between the player and the club is said to be close to being agreed, which will then free up the Reds to negotiate a fee with Bayern to secure his signature.
What would he bring? –
Raw power and an unstoppable dribbling ability, he is fearless with a ball at his feet and as shown against Honduras he has a cannon of a shot on him. He would fit into Liverpool’s attack easily, freeing up Daniel Sturridge to reprise a central role more often now that Luis Suarez has been banned.
How likely? – 9/10
2. Nigel de Jong – AC Milan to Manchester United
The story – The Dutch ace has been linked with an exit from the San Siro this summer as the club look to undertake a transformation of their own and need the funds first to be able to sanction it. The timing could not be better as United are desperate to add some steel to their defence in the absence of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. Another player that Louis Van Gaal will have no trouble convincing.
What would he bring? – Defensive cover that has been there and done that and would bring a Roy Keane like quality of leadership that has been missing since the great man himself hung up his boots.
How likely? – 7/10
1. Alexis Sanches – Barcelona to Arsenal
The story – It is probably fair to assume that if Sanchez wasn’t already at Barcelona, they would definitely be trying their hardest to sign him now following the World Cup he has just had. So it is anyone’s guess as to why they have made him available for a move elsewhere this summer. Proved that he was more than capable of covering for Lionel Messi and showed that he is a hit at international level, too.
What would he bring? –
Should Arsenal be lucky enough to land his signaure, they would have an attacking tour de force, whose goals and assists would undoubtedly reach double figures every season, giving the club a new edge when and when going forward. If he does sign, he will be named as the PFA Player of the Year this time next year, you can mark our words on that.
How likely? – 8/10
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