An awful few weeks for English clubs on the continental front has meant that for the second time in three years, no Premier League sides will compete in the last eight of the Champions League, while Everton became Britain’s last representative in the Europa League. And the Toffees joined their fellow clubs on the scrapheap after they failed to capitalise on their narrow lead from the first leg against Dynamo Kiev.
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With European failure complete, it would not be a surprise to see plenty of players seek to force through a move away from these shores at the end of the season.
Here are ten of those players who could leave the country come the summer:
Radamel Falcao (Manchester United)
The Columbian has had an awful first season in English football, contributing just four goals in the Premier League, so it would be no surprise at all to see him sent back to his parent club, Monaco as soon as the curtain falls on the current campaign, with both his club, and himself bizarrely confirming that his days in England are numbered.
Falcao has looked bereft of confidence ever since Manchester United fans realised that he was not quite the player his reputation suggested he would be. His miserable time was compounded when he was substituted for a poor performance whilst filling in for the club’s under-21 side.
Toby Alderweireld (Southampton)
Another loanee who may be on his way out this summer. However, unlike his former Atletico Madrid teammate, Alderweireld would be hugely missed if he were to leave the Saints. The defender has been impressive this season, and Ronald Koeman’s side reportedly have a future fee of around £6.3m in place with his parent club, however the La Liga champions would be willing to sell him elsewhere if more money was on the table.
Despite expressing his desire to stay on the south coast, the Belgian is being watched by top clubs both in the Premier League, and abroad.
Angel Di Maria (Manchester United)
Manchester United’s record signing started well for his new club, but his form for the majority of his time in England has seen him well and truly pigeonholed as a flop, who is destined to leave for a fraction of the £60m that was spent on bringing him in from Real Madrid. The winger himself has reportedly begged his agent to help end his time at Old Trafford, and it is unlikely that a Premier League club will be willing to pay the ransom.
Three Champions League quarter-finalists: Barcelona, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain are all keen on the 27-year-old.
Danny Ings (Burnley)
Danny Ings has arguably been the surprise package of this current Premier League season, which is why there is a long queue of clubs currently after his signature. The 22-year-old has nine goals this season, which have helped the relegation candidates keep in touch with the sides above them.
But it widely expected that Ings will leave Turf Moor at the end of the season when his contract expires, and speculation persists that a move to David Moyes’s Real Sociedad may be on the cards.
Robin van Persie (Manchester United)
The Dutchman is having a bad season by his standards, meaning that an exit from Old Trafford is highly likely. He has struggled with injuries, with his latest setback set to keep him out of their pivotal game against Liverpool at the weekend, and it would not be a surprise for Louis van Gaal to turn to other options in the summer window, at the expense of the 31-year-old.
With the wages he would command, it is doubtful whether a Premier League club would be in the market for van Persie. A move to one of the other major European leagues is much more probable.
James Milner (Manchester City)
Milner may be Manchester City’s utility player, somewhat in the shadow of some of the club’s biggest stars, but the England international has had a good season for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, and is wanted by many.
The England international’s contract is up in the summer, prompting interest from Liverpool, but also the likes of Roma in Serie A, and as much as Pellegrini has spoken about wanting to keep the 29-year-old, the prospect of first team football elsewhere may prove too tempting.
Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)
The Chelsea full-back has been a key part of the Mourinho machine that has claimed the Capital One Cup, and looks set to clinch the Premier League title. Not only has Ivanovic been reliable at the back, but he is also adding his name to the scoresheet on plenty of occasions.
But the 31-year-old is being linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, as well as the Blues’ Champions League conquerors PSG, with both sides being able to offer a longer deal than the one-year extensions that the London club usually award their squad members that are in their 30s.
Stefan Jovetic (Manchester City)
Jovetic was so devastated to become fourth-choice striker at Manchester City, behind Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, and the newly signed Wilfried Bony, that he revealed that his future may lie elsewhere. The decision to bring the former Swansea striker Bony to the Etihad, meant that the Montenegrin was omitted from the club’s Champions League squad.
With Pellegrini also playing just one striker in many games this season, his opportunities have been limited, and it is likely that the talented frontman may seek a fresh start in the near future.
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
Despite being an influential player for the Gunners this season, Cazorla has found his creative freedom limited by the involvement of both Mesut Ozil, and Alexis Sanchez. The 30-year-old has had to settle for a deeper role where he has still adapted wonderfully well alongside Francis Coquelin.
But the frustrating Champions League exit in midweek, and the lack of a title challenge may mean that Cazorla becomes keen on a move back to Spain, should the reported interest from Atletico Madrid materialise into a bid.
Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
It is fair to say that Toure has struggled to make the impact this season that he has in previous years. The centre-midfielder showed glimpses of his talent against Barcelona, but failed to stamp an authority on the game like he would have done when he first moved to Manchester.
His former boss Roberto Mancini has spoken about his admiration for Toure, and his desire to link up with him once again at Inter Milan, where the Italian now coaches. The slower pace of Serie A may help the 31-year-old rediscover the class that helped City to their first Premier League title in 2012.