The summer transfer window is set to open in just over a month’s time, and typically some of Europe’s most exciting names have been linked with sensational exits from their current clubs.
From David De Gea to Gareth Bale – here’s our transfer XI featuring the most in-demand players ahead of the summer transfer window…
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David De Gea – Manchester United
The Spaniard’s current deal at Old Trafford expires next summer, and as a result he has been heavily linked with a return to Spain – where Real Madrid are eager to replace Iker Casillas. This week, Casillas said [via ESPN] that he would welcome De Gea at the Santiago Bernabeu – a done deal?
Dani Alves – Barcelona
The Brazilian right-back has been a regular in the final year of his contract at the Camp Nou, suggesting that he may yet extend his stay in Spain. However, recently Alves slammed Barca [in quotes from the Mirror] for a lack of respect in the way the club have acted over contract negotiations. He announced a decision on his future will be made after the Champions League final. Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have been heavily linked with the soon-to-be free agent.
Nicolas Otamendi – Valencia
Earlier this week, the agent of Otamendi announced that the Argentine is desperate to leave the Mestalla Stadium to progress his career at a higher level and will force through a transfer in the summer [via The Guardian]. This news will have put Manchester United on red alert with Louis van Gaal targeting a centre-back in the market.
Raphael Varane – Real Madrid
The 22-year-old is proving to be one of the most exciting central defenders in Europe following his impressive performances at the Santiago Bernabeu. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is an admirer of the Frenchman from his time as Los Blancos manager, and was heavily linked with making an offer in the January transfer window. Despite the move never transpiring, Mourinho could be tempted in the summer [via the Daily Mail].
Filipe Luis – Chelsea
The Brazilian only joined Stamford Bridge in the summer, but with the consistent form of Cesar Azpilicueta, the left-back could face another season on the periphery of Jose Mourinho’s first-team if he stays in London. According to Marca, Filipe Luis would welcome a return to the club he left to join Chelsea, Atletico Madrid.
Morgan Schneiderlin – Southampton
This week [in quotes from Sky Sports], the Saints midfielder finally spoke out over his future and insisted that he would only consider leaving St Mary’s for Champions League football. Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have been linked to his name, but with Spurs missing out on a place in Europe’s elite, the Gunners must surely be comfortable front-runners for his signature [Telegraph].
Ilkay Gundogan – Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke confirmed on Wednesday that the German midfielder would definitely be leaving the Westfalenstadion in the summer after the club announced, at the end of April, that he would not be extending his current deal, which expires next summer. Arsenal and Manchester United are among those interested from the Premier League, but BVB’s Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich have joined the transfer chase [via the Daily Star]. The club are after £20m for his signature.
Paul Pogba – Juventus
Since leaving Old Trafford, the French midfielder has stunned Serie A and has seen his named linked alongside a host of top European clubs. A return to Manchester – with both City and United – has been mooted, but it’s hard to envisage the 22-year-old itching for a return to the Premier League after a miserable career under Sir Alex Ferguson. If latest reports from talkSPORT are to be believed, he will snub England in favour of a move to Spain.
Gareth Bale – Real Madrid
The Welsh wizard’s second season at the Santiago Bernabeu has been a complete juxtaposition to his first; as whistles and jeers have rung loud from Real’s so-called supporters. Having faced such criticism, inevitably the former White Hart Lane star has been linked with a Madrid exit. Chelsea and Manchester United have been heavily linked [via the Daily Mail], and if Los Blancos choose to sell, his transfer isn’t out of the question – even if it goes against the player’s wish.
Edinson Cavani – PSG
It has been well publicised by Cavani himself that he isn’t happy with being played out of position to accommodate Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the Parc des Princes. Manchester United have been one of the favourites for his signature, but Atletico Madrid [via talkSPORT] will join the summer transfer battle.
Raheem Sterling – Liverpool
It seems almost certain that the England international will be leaving Anfield in the summer, and what a way to head out of Merseyside. BBC Sport revealed that the winger told Brendan Rodgers, before their clash with Chelsea earlier this month, that he wanted to leave at the end of the season. Combine this with his agent publicly stating that his client wouldn’t even sign a new contract worth £900,000 per-week to stay put, and it’s hard to envisage he has a future with Liverpool Football Club. Manchester City and Chelsea are poised to make an offer – if only to boost their homegrown quota [via the Daily Star].
