20 big-name transfer targets and where they’ll end up.
20) Daley Blind (Ajax)
Interested clubs: Manchester United, Liverpool, Barcelona
After some superb displays in the Eredivisie for Ajax and for the Netherlands at this summer’s World Cup, versatile defender Blind is attracting plenty of interest to clubs chasing signings at centre-back or left-back. Blind can also play in midfield, and Manchester United may just have the edge due to the Louis van Gaal connection at Old Trafford, with the 24-year-old shining under the former Oranje head coach at international level.
Prediction: Manchester United
19) Petr Cech (Chelsea)
Interested clubs: Paris Saint-Germain, AS Monaco
The long-serving Chelsea goalkeeper may finally be on his way out of Stamford Bridge this summer as promising youngster Thibaut Courtois threatens to take the number one spot in Jose Mourinho’s side. The Blues boss, however, has maintained that he wants to keep both players at the club to battle to be first choice. PSG and Monaco are said to be interested, but there is little need for Chelsea to sell and one can understand why Mourinho will stick to his word on this one.
Prediction: Chelsea stay
18) Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal)
Interested clubs: Manchester United, Barcelona, Napoli, Inter Milan
After falling down the pecking order at Arsenal, Thomas Vermaelen looks highly likely to leave the club this summer. Despite whispers of interest from Serie A duo Napoli and Inter Milan, it currently looks like being between Manchester United and Barcelona for the race to snap him up. Arsenal will want to avoid selling to a rival, which may see Barca come out on top in this particular transfer battle.
Prediction: Barcelona
17) Victor Valdes (Unattached)
Interested clubs: Arsenal, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain
A free agent since leaving Barcelona at the end of last season, goalkeeper Victor Valdes is still without a new cliub after a move to AS Monaco fell through. There are plenty of sides still interested, however, and although Arsenal are probably out of the running now after signing David Ospina, they continue to be linked with him. PSG would make the most sense as they eye a new signing in goal, even if Valdes may be tempted to reunite with his old boss Pep Guardiola at Bayern.
Prediction: PSG
16) Loic Remy (Queens Park Rangers)
Interested clubs: Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United
After failing a medical that would have seen him complete an £8.5m move to Liverpool, Queens Park Rangers striker Loic Remy will be hoping to seal a move to a different club this summer. The French international spent last season on loan with Newcastle, and they may be the favourites to sign him now, with Arsenal previously having failed to meet his wage demands.
Prediction: Newcastle
15) Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich)
Interested clubs: Liverpool, Chelsea, Roma
Out of favour with Bayern Munich for some time now, Xherdan Shaqiri looks highly likely to be on the move this summer with a host of clubs chasing him. The Swiss international took the chance to impress at this summer’s World Cup, and could benefit from a move to a new club to continue his progress after becoming one of the most highly regarded talents in Europe whilst at FC Basel. Liverpool have perhaps been linked the strongest, despite other signings in that position.
Prediction: Liverpool
14) Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton)
Interested clubs: Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan
A superb midfield player, Morgan Schneiderlin has been a key performer for Southampton in recent seasons, helping them climb up the Football League into the top flight in 2012. The French international has been linked with Inter Milan in the past but is now likely to be subject to a two-way battle between north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham. The Gunners have Champions League football on offer, but Schneiderlin is thought to be keen on working with his old manager Mauricio Pochettino again.
Prediction: Tottenham
13) Javier Hernandez (Manchester United)
Interested clubs: Southampton, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan
A talented goal-poacher, it is no surprise to see plenty of interest in out-of-favour Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez after it has become all too clear that he has no future at Old Trafford. Southampton have been linked with a £15m bid for the Mexican international and could offer him the first-team football he wants, though offers from abroad will no doubt be tempting as well. With Atletico already signing Mario Mandzukic, their interest may have cooled, so will a stay in the Premier League win out over Serie A?
Prediction: Southampton
12) William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon)
Interested clubs: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United
A superb young talent coming through in Portuguese football, three of the Premier League’s biggest names have been linked with William Carvalho this summer. Despite interest from Chelsea and United, it has recently emerged that Arsenal may be the favourites to sign him as they chase a new defensive midfield signing.
Prediction: Arsenal
11) Miranda (Atletico Madrid)
Interested clubs: Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona
One of the best centre-backs in Europe last season, Atletico Madrid could have a tough time holding onto Brazilian star Miranda this summer. The rock-solid 29-year-old is wanted in the Premier League and by Atletico’s La Liga rivals Barcelona. The Spanish champions will surely prefer to sell him abroad, which could see two of England’s biggest clubs battle it out for his signature. United arguably need him more, but will he be tempted to join his old team-mates Diego Costa, Filipe Luis and Thibaut Courtois at Stamford Bridge, as well as to play in the Champions League?
Prediction: Chelsea
10) Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)
Interested clubs: Manchester United, Barcelona, Juventus
Borussia Dortmund star Mats Hummels is another of Europe’s most in-demand defenders this summer, with his value having risen even higher after his part in Germany’s World Cup win in Brazil. The 25-year-old is at the peak of his game and would be an excellent signing at around £20m, with United said to be leading the chase for his signature at the moment, as Barcelona focus on other targets and rumours of Juve’s interest has quietened down.
Prediction: Manchester United
9) Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)
Interested clubs: Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Barcelona
Undoubtedly one of the best playmakers in Europe at the moment, it is no surprise to see Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus become another of the club’s stars linked strongly with a move to a bigger club. Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked with the German international several times, while Barcelona have emerged as strong contenders for him this summer. Still, with the Catalan giants signing Luis Suarez from Liverpool, it may be that the Reds’ improved financial situation could see them the favourites to snap him up.
Prediction: Liverpool
8) Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina)
Interested clubs: Liverpool, Manchester United, Barcelona, Juventus
A stand-out performer for Serie A side Fiorentina last season, and for Colombia at the World Cup, Juan Cuadrado is one of the most talked about transfer targets of the summer so far, with plenty of clubs thought to be keen on him. Barcelona perhaps look the favourites at the moment, though he will no doubt have Premier League offers to mull over as United are believed to be Barca’s main challengers for his signature.
Prediction: Barcelona
7) Sami Khedira (Real Madrid)
Interested clubs: Arsenal, Chelsea, AS Monaco
Arsenal and Chelsea are believed to be the leading contenders to sign Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira, despite whispers of some interest from Ligue 1 giants Monaco. The Gunners are clearly determined to land a new defensive midfielder, and recent stories suggest they may be closing in on an agreement for the German international.
Prediction: Arsenal
6) Arturo Vidal (Juventus)
Interested clubs: Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool
One of the best midfielders in the world, Arturo Vidal looks increasingly likely to end his three-year stay with Juventus this summer with a move to a big club in the Premier League. Manchester United look the favourites at the moment, with Arsenal and Liverpool perhaps unlikely to be able to afford his mammoth £40m+ price tag.
Prediction: Manchester United
5) Paul Pogba (Juventus)
Interested clubs: Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain
One of the best young players in the world, Juventus starlet Paul Pogba has risen to prominence since leaving United for Juve back in 2012. Now valued at around £60m, it is thought that the Red Devils could be keen to bring him back, though they will face competition from big spenders such as Chelsea, Real Madrid and PSG. It remains to be seen who will win the race for him this summer, and it may be that he will stay in Turin for one more year, particularly if his midfield partner Vidal leaves.
Prediction: Juventus stay
4) Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid)
Interested clubs: Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus
Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria has been dominating the headlines for much of this summer so far, with the Argentine set to be allowed to leave for around £47m with Real bringing in Colombian World Cup star James Rodriguez from AS Monaco. United have been strongly linked as admirers of his, but look set to miss out as PSG come close to sealing a deal that would see him arrive on loan this summer with a view to a permanent move being completed next year.
Prediction: PSG
3) Radamel Falcao (AS Monaco)
Interested clubs: Real Madrid, Chelsea, AC Milan
One of the best strikers in the world, Radamel Falcao seems intent on making a quick exit from Ligue 1 giants AS Monaco this summer, despite only spending one season with the club. It is widely expected that Real Madrid will win the race for his signture, signing him on an initial loan deal, though he has also attracted interest from Chelsea and AC Milan.
Prediction: Real Madrid
2) Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint-Germain)
Interested clubs: Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool
After a slightly disappointing first season with PSG, it looks as though Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani could be available for the right price this summer, with big clubs in the Premier League keen on him. Chelsea and United appear to be the main contenders, though it has even been suggested that Liverpool could look to him to replace the departing Luis Suarez.
Prediction: Manchester United
1) Mario Balotelli (AC Milan)
Interested clubs: Arsenal, Liverpool, AS Monaco
Always in the headlines for something, Mario Balotelli’s future at AC Milan is under some speculation this summer as the club appear perfectly willing to offload him. Arsenal long looked like the favourites to snap him up, but it could now be that Liverpool will make him their ideal replacement for Luis Suarez. Big-spending Monaco are also keen on him, and it may be that he will be brought in as their replacement if Radamel Falcao leaves, with other clubs perhaps not quite willing to take a gamble on him.
Prediction: Monaco