Five German stars set for big moves this summer.
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Following the announcement of Toni Kroos’ transfer from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid, it seems likely that other big names in Germany’s World Cup winning squad will be targeted by big clubs in this summer’s transfer window.
Joachim Low’s side is full of world class talent, many of whom already play for some of Europe’s elite sides, but it is not surprising to see a decent number of them already being linked with moves elsewhere ahead of the start of the new club season.
With rumoured targets for the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, CaughtOffside looks at five more German World Cup winners who could follow Kroos in making big moves this summer.
5) Jerome Boateng
Despite a disappointing first spell in the Premier League with Manchester City a few years ago, German defender Jerome Boateng has improved a great deal whilst with Bayern Munich, helping them to the treble in 2012/13 and the double the following year before becoming a key player for Germany in their World Cup win. The 25-year-old has recently been linked with a return to England with either Manchester United or Liverpool, who are both in the market for new defensive signings this summer. Although it seems unlikely that Bayern would allow him to leave, his World Cup form will no doubt have strengthened his reputation as a top potential transfer target for the Premier League giants.
4) Julian Draxler
Although Schalke playmaker Julian Draxler only made one substitute appearance in his country’s run to victory at the 2014 World Cup, the exciting youngster is currently on Tottenham’s radar after his meteoric rise in recent seasons. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder, widely regarded as one of the best young players in the world, has also been linked with Arsenal in the past, though a move is reported to have fallen through in January. The German starlet remains committed to his current club, but it would be no surprise to see him make the move elsewhere in the near future as he will surely be too good to stay at Schalke before long.
3) Sami Khedira
With mixed reports on the future of the Real Madrid midfielder at the moment, it’s hard to know where Sami Khedira will be playing his football next season. Still, the World Cup winner was a top performer for his country at this summer’s tournament, and has long been up there with the best in the world in the defensive midfield role. Arsenal and Chelsea have been mentioned as the leading contenders to sign him in this year’s transfer window, though it could be that he will make a u-turn on his efforts to leave the Bernabeu by announcing his intention to sign a new contract. Still, with the arrival of his international team-mate Toni Kroos at the Spanish capital, Khedira’s first-team place could be under threat, and it is no surprise to see clubs showing an interest.
2) Mats Hummels
One of the best defenders in Europe, and now a World Cup winner with Germany, Mats Hummels may finally be on the move this summer after long being linked with some of the world’s biggest clubs. Manchester United are known to be big admirers of his as they chase new signings in defence, while Barcelona and Juventus have also been linked with him on several occasions. A rock-solid and intelligent centre-back, Borussia Dortmund won’t want to lose him after seeing so many other of their stars leave in recent times, but they will face an even tougher task holding onto him now after his fine performances on the biggest stage.
1) Bastian Schweinsteiger
After surprising stories emerged earlier this summer than Bastian Schweinsteiger would be looking to leave Bayern Munich for a new challenge, the German midfielder’s stock will only have risen after his fine performances in his country’s World Cup-winning campaign. The 29-year-old has been with the Bavarian giants for his entire career so far, and now seems keen to try his luck elsewhere, having won all there is to win in the game. Manchester United have emerged as strong contenders to snap him up, and there’s no doubt he would be an ideal solution to their current problems in midfield.