Fourteen players from the Portuguese Primera League that could head for the Premier League.
The Portuguese top flight has often been a rich source of talent over the past ten years, and despite the country’s poor showing at the World Cup this summer there is possibly more interest in the league’s players than ever before.
Coming from the ‘big three’ of Benfica, Sporting Lisbon and Porto, we are examining the players currently being linked with summer moves to the Premier League.
Benfica:
Oscar Cardozo – West Ham, Leicester City
The Paraguayan international has been long linked with a switch to England. However, where he was once tipped to join the likes of Liverpool he is now being considered by the likes of West Ham and Leicester now that he’s crept over 30.
Nico Gaitan – Liverpool, Manchester United
Both Liverpool and Manchester United have thrown their respective hats into the ring for the Argentine playmaker as they look to add more quality to the midfield area. Gaitan is now undoubtedly the most valuable player the Portuguese champions have on their books now.
Maxi Pereria – Liverpool
Pereira is a consistent performer for club and county, though he let himself down at the World Cup this summer by getting sent off in the first game against Costa Rica. However, The Reds are still interested as Brendan Rodgers has cast his rod out for a replacement to Glenn Johnson.
Joao Cancelo – Chelsea, Liverpool
Both Chelsea and Liverpool have cast their eye over the young defender. Having recently made his way into the Benfica first team last season he is being tipped for a big future in the game. The versatile full-back, who can play on both sides of defence, is attracting interest from the Premier League’s top three teams, who are all considering making a move for him this summer.
Enzo Perez – Manchester United
United had run the rule over the Argentine star as they look to make some shrewd additions to their midfield area. Perez would bring a dynamism to the engine room that they currently lack, though he is reluctant to leave the club.
Sporting Lisbon:
Marcos Rojo – Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Southampton
Another Argentine star in the Portuguese top flight, he had been courted the Premier League’s top sides as his dynamic performances and versatility firmly put him in the shop window. However, Southampton now have money burning a hole in their pocket and may decide to gazump the competition with a move of their own.
Islam Slimani – Newcastle, Everton, West Ham and Crystal Palace
The Algerian enhanced his reputation at the World Cup this summer, and West Ham had thought they had struck a deal to sign the striker shortly after the tournament. However, aware of the demand in their player, Sporting have hiked the price to a level that interested parties find unacceptable.
William Carvalho – Arsenal, Manchester United
The young midfielder suddenly found himself as one of the world’s most in demand players at the end of the previous campaign, and Sporting are now waiting for the inevitable big money bid that will see him make the move to the Premier League.
Eric Dier – Newcastle United
Having spent time on loan with Everton, Newcastle are now looking to bring the English born defender back home after he finally broke into the Sporting first team.
Miguel Lopes – Tottenham
The right-back, who spent last season on loan with Lyon, is likely to complete a loan deal to join Spurs in the coming days as Mauricio Pochettino looks to renew the club’s challenge for Champions League football next season.
Porto:
Jackson Martinez – Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United
The Colombian hit man has been in prolific form since joining the club two seasons ago, and as such has attracted interest from a host of top Premier League sides in the process. Porto has since slashed his price tag as they fear interested parties are just waiting for him to run down his deal.
Juan Quintero – Arsenal
The Colombian is being tipped to be the latest Colombian to head out on the move after an impressive season was followed up by an impressive showing at the World Cup. However, with Arsenal landing Alexis Sanchez a move may not be on the cards after all.
Hector Herrera – Liverpool
The Mexico star had been watched by Liverpool at times last term and have apparently become increasingly interested after witnessing his performances at the World Cup.
Steven Defour – Aston Villa
Villa boss Paul Lambert has ditched the ‘young a hungry’ transfer policy he employed when he first took over at the club and has targeted more senior figures as the season ticks by. After a poor campaign in Portugal, the Belgian midfielder may see the Premier League as an ideal escape route.