The finest talent of South America is set to be showcased this summer as the continent’s elite collide at the Copa America.
SEE ALSO:
Top 10 summer transfer targets from outside Europe’s top 5 leagues, including Arsenal target Martinez & Liverpool-bound Gaitan
Man United away kit 2015/16: Leaked images of weird black and orange design
Find out the world’s richest footballers in 2015!
Among the sides competing at the tournament, there are a number of global superstars, and several players hotly tipped to be completing major moves during the upcoming transfer window.
In this feature, we run-down the 13 talents on show at the summer showpiece who have been tipped for a move ahead of the 2015-16 season.
Which of these players—all of whom are reported to be on the move—would you most like to see at your club? Which of these deals could have the biggest transformative effect on the buying side?
Sergio Aguero
As Florentino Perez searches for his next Galactico signing, could he do any better than turning to Manchester City?
Even for Real Madrid, signing the Premier League’s top scorer would represent a coup, and the 10-time Champions League champions have been linked with a £63 million-transfer to the Bernabeu.
AS, via Sky Sports, have confirmed that Real are interested in the talented Argentine, and while Aguero would surely be an upgrade on Karim Benzema, would City be willing to part with their prized asset?
Erik Lamela
Despite another indifference campaign with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, Erik Lamela has been included in the Argentine squad to head to the Copa America.
The forward has been a disappointment since moving to White Hart Lane for a club record £30 million, managing only seven assists and two goals this season.
Juventus, AS Roma and Inter Milan from Serie A, and La Liga giants Atletico Madrid are all keen on the former River Plate star, according to the Mirror.
Carlos Tevez
Carlos Tevez may well be set for a return to the Premier League following a brief but impressive spell with Juventus.
The Argentine forward won the Serie A title with Juve this season, and will likely play a key role in the Old Lady’s Champions League final against Barcelona.
However, will he be in Turin next season?
Liverpool are believed to be keen on the forward as they still look to replace the goals of Luis Suarez [via the Irish Independent], while Boca Juniors also want to bring the forward back to Buenos Aires.
Ezequiel Lavezzi
While Liverpool have been linked to another Argentine forward this season—Carlos Tevez—they have also been linked to the Juventus man’s compatriot Ezequiel Lavezzi.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward is also wanted by Manchester United [via the Metro] and have reportedly made a bid for the player.
Fichajes have also noted that Valencia are interested in the former Napoli man.
Edinson Cavani
It’s no secret that Louis van Gaal is looking ahead to a major summer of spending at Manchester United this summer.
The Dutch coach has been linked with the likes of Harry Kane and Karim Benzema as he looks to bolster his offensive options.
PSG striker Edinson Cavani is also believed to be in the coach’s considerations, with the Independent linking the forward with a move to Old Trafford.
Arsenal and Liverpool are also rumoured to be interested in the Uruguayan, while Juventus and Atletico Madrid are also eyeing Cavani’s situation closely.
Filipe Luis
It’s been an unconvincing campaign for Brazil international Filipe Luis, who has managed only nine appearances at Chelsea since arriving for £15.8 million from Atletico Madrid last summer.
The former Deportivo La Coruna man has failed to unseat Cesar Azpilicueta from the starting left-back berth and rumours linked Abdul Rahman Baba to Stamford Bridge suggest that the South American may soon be leaving West London.
He has been linked with a return to his former club where Diego Simeone remains an admirer.
Radamel Falcao
Having failed to secure a permanent transfer at Manchester United, Radamel Falcao returns to AS Monaco with his reputation in tatters.
The Colombian forward has lost his spark and his goal-scoring prowess, and the Club of the Principality will surely look to offload him this summer.
But who would take him?
Chelsea have been linked with an unlikely signing, although according to the Express, Juventus may try and beat the Pensioners to the signing of El Tigre.
Carlos Bacca
Falcao’s struggles at Old Trafford seemingly haven’t dissuaded the Red Devils from considering Colombian strikers as possible saviours!
The club have been heavily linked with a move for the Sevilla forward—who helped the Rojiblancos retain the Europa League earlier this week—and will look to tie up a deal over the coming weeks.
The Metro report that United are favourites to sign the 28-year-old, with a fee of £21.3million being mooted.
Arturo Vidal
Could Arturo Vidal be the missing piece of Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal side?
We may soon find out, as the Metro suggest that Juventus are open to selling the Chilean midfielder in order to keep hold of Paul Pogba.
It is believed that a fee of £28 million would be enough for the Gunners to sign the versatile former Udinese man; could Vidal bring the title back to North London?
Nicolas Otamendi
Argentine defender Nicolas Otamendi appears desperate to secure a move to Manchester United this summer and looks intent on forcing through a move away from Valencia this summer.
The 27-year-old has openly discussed his desire to leave La Liga, according to Sport Witness, and while the Red Devils were rebuffed in their attempts to sign the defender in January, they look more likely to be successful this summer.
It is believed that a bid of £35 million would be enough to secure the centre-back.
Angel Di Maria
While Paul Scholes has urged his former employers Manchester United to keep hold of Angel Di Maria, there aren’t too many people who would be surprised should the Argentina international leave Old Trafford this summer.
The former Real Madrid man may have contributed 10 assists this season, but he has still been perceived as a flop in the Premier League and United may look to raise funds from the out-of-sorts Argentine.
Bayern Munich don’t appear to be dissuaded by the player’s slump, with the Metro reporting that they have joined Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign the 27-year-old.
Javier Pastore
With a potential windfall on the horizon should Raheem Sterling be sold to Real Madrid this summer, might Liverpool have some cash to splash this summer?
If they do, The Guardian believes that they might look to bring Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentine playmaker Javier Pastore to Anfield this summer.
The attacking midfielder initially struggled to make his mark at the Parc des Princes, but he came into his own this season and the 25-year-old was influential as PSG won the French title, contributing five goals and 12 assists for Laurent Blanc’s side.
Gonzalo Higuain
Could Argentine hitman Gonzalo Higuain emerge as the Premier League’s next great striker?
The former Real Madrid man has been cleared for a departure from Napoli, according to the Metro, and at least one of his reported EPL suitors may well acquire this talented striker.
Will Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United opt to stump up the £42 million required to snare the 27-year-old, who may well be approaching his best years?