There are set to be a number of stunning coming and goings from the Premier League this summer – including Manchester United’s David De Gea and Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling – whose futures continue to dominate the back pages.
CaughtOffside have picked 15 stars from England’s top flight that look keen to see if the grass really could be greener elsewhere.
Have a read below…
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15. Nathaniel Clyne – Southampton
The England international’s current deal at St Mary’s Stadium is set to expire next summer, and speculation is rife that the Saints will cash in within the coming weeks to avoid their in-demand right-back leaving on a free at the end of next season. According to reports, Clyne favours a switch to Liverpool – ahead of Manchester United – believing regular first-team football would be more likely at Anfield following the expiration of Glen Johnson’s contract.
14. Morgan Schneiderlin – Southampton
The Saints midfielder was eager to move on last summer but the club refused to allow the Frenchman an exit; however, it seems likely that he will get his way a year later. The 25-year-old is said to be desperate to compete in the Champions League, and has been heavily linked to Arsenal and Manchester United. The Gunners are rumoured to be closing in on his signature.
13. Yaya Toure – Manchester City
Towards the end of last season, reports stated that the Ivorian midfielder was on the brink of sealing a Roberto Mancini reunion at Inter Milan. His agent, Dimitri Seluk, who seems to enjoy publicly discussing the future of his client, however insists that Toure will not be leaving the Etihad thanks to an intervention from City owner Sheikh Mansour [quotes from Goal]. Nonetheless, it seems that the 32-year-old is unsettled in Manchester, and we wouldn’t bet against the Ivory Coast international leaving in the summer – particularly with Manuel Pellegrini’s midfield in need of an injection of youth.
12. Christian Benteke – Aston Villa
Tim Sherwood, prior to the club’s FA Cup final clash with Arsenal, revealed that the Belgian striker had a £32.5m release clause – in what could have been considered a ploy to attract bids for the forward [via Sky Sports]. Liverpool have been heavily linked with making a move for his signature in the summer window, but the 24-year-old is itching to play in the Champions League [via the Liverpool Echo].
11. Hugo Lloris – Tottenham Hotspur
Few can doubt that such is the quality of Spurs’ No.1 that he should be competing in the Champions League, and with Tottenham failing to qualify – once more – for a place in the competition, the French stopper could consider his future away from White Hart Lane. Manchester United are reportedly interested in Lloris replacing Real Madrid-bound David De Gea as Louis van Gaal’s new first-choice keeper.
10. Edin Dzeko – Manchester City
The Bosnian striker has fallen significantly out of favour at the Etihad – making just 11 Premier League starts last term – and his fortune isn’t set to change under Manuel Pellegrini next season with Sergio Aguero and January arrival Wilfried Bony likely to remain the Chilean manager’s first-choice pair in attack. Chelsea, Liverpool and AS Roma are all reportedly interested in his signature.
9. Emmanuel Adebayor – Tottenham Hotspur
The ex-Arsenal and Manchester City forward looks to have no future at White Hart Lane, and even if the player himself doesn’t wish to move on, manager Mauricio Pochettino will surely be eager to offload the controversial striker in the summer.
8. Lukas Podolski – Arsenal
The Germany international spent the second-half of the season on loan at Inter Milan – in what was a hugely underwhelming six-months – and has returned to the Emirates with Roberto Mancini having not been persuaded to sign the forward on a permanent basis. The 30-year-old has repeatedly stated his desire to be given a chance by Arsene Wenger at the Emirates, but the Frenchman is unlikely to have included Podolski in his future plans. Despite his popularity among the Gunners faithful, a transfer away from north London this summer is on the horizon.
7. Loic Remy – Chelsea
The Blues forward has been in impressive goalscoring form when called upon by manager Jose Mourinho; however, with Diego Costa as first-choice at Stamford Bridge and the possibility of new forwards recruited in the summer, the Frenchman’s playing time isn’t likely to improve next season. Remy proved his ability with QPR and Newcastle and certainly deserves more minutes on the pitch, which could tempt him to leave the Premier League champions.
6. Mario Balotelli – Liverpool
The ex-Manchester City striker has delivered next to nothing at Anfield since Brendan Rodgers decided to part with £16m for his signature – scoring just one Premier League goal in his debut campaign on Merseyside. The departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona combined with Daniel Sturridge’s injury has opened up the frailty in the Reds’ attack, and the club’s Northern Irish manager must address their forward line this summer. Liverpool could be tempted to offload the 24-year-old to fund new recruitments, while the player himself could be eager to turn his back on England’s top flight.
5. Filipe Luis – Chelsea
Cesar Azpilicueta has cemented the left-back role at Stamford Bridge following the departure of Ashley Cole, and despite the Blues spending £15.8m on securing the Brazilian’s signature last summer, he could be sold just a year later. Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has openly admitted that he would like to see the defender return to the Estadio Vicente Calderon, and he looks set to be preparing for a move back to the Spanish capital.
4. Javier Hernandez – Manchester United
The Mexico international spent the season on loan at Real Madrid, and despite his impressive performances towards the end of his temporary spell at the Santiago Bernabeu, the La Liga BBVA giants opted to send the striker back to Old Trafford. His career with the Premier League giants looks over, and both the player and his Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal will be assessing offers this summer.
3. Petr Cech – Arsenal
The Stamford Bridge legend endured a challenge campaign on west London as – for the first time in his Blues career – Cech was no longer the club’s No.1. Thibaut Courtois is set to continue with his first-choice role in between the posts next season, and Cech must surely move on to avoid potentially ending his career on the substitutes bench. The Czech Republic international is eager to remain in London to avoid uprooting his family – putting rivals Arsenal in pole position for his signature.
2. David De Gea – Manchester United
The Spanish stopper could be on the brink of swapping Old Trafford for the Santiago Bernabeu after rumours claim that the 24-year-old has told his Red Devils team-mates of his desire to return to Madrid this summer. It seems that the only issue remains whether Man Utd and Real can agree a suitable fee for his signature.
1. Raheem Sterling – Liverpool
The Reds winger continues to command space on the back-pages of British newspapers, as his future remains the subject of intense debate. Manchester City have had an opening bid of £25m and a second bid of £40m rejected, and are said to be readying a third offer – which could match Liverpool’s £50m price-tag. The Citizens appear keen on addressing their home-grown quota, but with reports earlier in the season suggesting that the England international wants to return to his home city, London, Arsenal and Chelsea shouldn’t yet be ruled out of the transfer battle.
