WITH ONLY ONE weekend of action left in the Barclays Premier League, our attention will soon turn to the transfer market, as clubs look for upgrades ahead of next season.
With that in mind, here are 10 transfer targets that are sure to attract plenty of interest this summer.
Paul Pogba — Juventus
The Frenchman will surely be the most sought-after player in the world this summer. Juventus look like they’ll do a deal and depending on sources, Pogba will go for anything above £60 million. He is arguably the most complete player in world football at just 22 and seems to have the mentality to stay at the top for years to come.
Who needs him? He’d fit into any side in the world at the moment, but perhaps Manchester United need him the most. PSG and Real Madrid look favourites for his signature though.
Raheem Sterling — Liverpool
Nobody’s certain if Sterling is digging his heels in over a new contract because of money, the lack of Champions League football or the lure of new pastures. The 20-year-old has huge potential but suffers from inconsistency. Whether that’s because of his age or his contract situation is anybody’s guess. Liverpool will likely reject anything but an outlandish offer, however.
Who needs him? Manchester City could do with an injection of pace in their attack and he’d also be an additional English player in their squad in their bid to meet the home-grown players criteria. Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid are all credited with an interest, but none of them really need him.
Mats Hummels — Borussia Dortmund
The classy German centre-back has been linked with Manchester United for what feels an eternity now. This summer, however, he looks destined to follow Jurgen Klopp out the exit door. At 26, he should be near the peak of his career, but potential suitors must be aware of his injury record.
Who needs him? Of all the top clubs in Europe, only Real Madrid wouldn’t be too concerned in signing him. United are the most likely, but Chelsea will need a leader when John Terry eventually shows signs of ageing, while Arsene Wenger could see him as an upgrade on Per Mertesacker. Manchester City could do with another centre-back also, as the most expensive defender in British history, Eliaquim Mangala, has turned out to be pretty average.
Pedro — Barcelona
The Spanish forward should be one of the most coveted players in the world this summer. At 27, Pedro needs a new challenge, because he will never break into a forward line featuring Suarez, Messi and Neymar. His goalscoring record is pretty good, but his list of trophies won is incredible. Five La Ligas, two Copa Del Reys, four Spanish Super Cups, two Champions League titles, a Uefa Super Cup, and a Club World Cup all won with the Catalan club. Add World Cup and European Championship medals with Spain to that list and you have a proven winner. All this is for a reported €15 million — teams should be jumping at the chance of signing him.
Who needs him? He’d be a good alternative to Sterling for Manchester City. Liverpool could also do with him, especially if Sterling leaves. Arsenal are rumoured to be negotiating a deal, but it’s hard to see where he would fit in to Wenger’s team.
Gareth Bale — Real Madrid
This one is going to run on for the whole summer and we’ll most likely get very sick of it if we’re not already. Bale’s obviously not happy, his agent isn’t happy and the Madridista fans aren’t happy with him either. He has 20 goals and 12 assists in all competitions this season, so his supposed poor form is being blown out of proportion and proves he is not that bad.
Who needs him? United, City and Chelsea are the three front-runners with the Red Devils in pole position for his signature if they use David De Gea as a bargaining chip. City will be restricted by financial fair play rules, while Mourinho is unlikely to invest in another winger after signing Juan Cuardado in January.
Carlos Tevez — Juventus
The Argentine splits opinion among Premier League fans, but one thing that can’t be argued is that he is a proven goalscorer. Palermo coach Beppe Lachini confirmed on Monday that highly-rated forward Paulo Dybala will move to Juventus, perhaps paving the way for Tevez to make his exit. He never stays too long in the one place.
Who needs him? He would be a fantastic signing for Liverpool if they were to get him, as he suits the high-pressing style and boundless energy Brendan Rodgers likes his teams to play with. He could also be the missing link in Arsenal’s title chase if they were to get him.
Petr Cech — Chelsea
Cech is too good a goalkeeper to be sitting on the bench at Stamford Bridge. At only 32 he could have another four good years in him at the top level of the game. Jose Mourinho is a smooth operator and will do his utmost to prevent the Czech Republic international joining one of his Premier League title rivals.
Who needs him? Never has a transfer made more sense than Cech going to Arsenal. He would also be a prime target for Manchester United should De Gea leave. He could end up somewhere on the continent if Mourinho gets his wish, but there are no elite teams in bad need of a keeper other than Real Madrid, who will probably land De Gea.
Morgan Schneiderlin — Southampton
He is without doubt the most complete midfielder outside the top four in the Premier League. Over the last three seasons, he has proven himself in regards to tackling, interceptions and passing, while this season, he has began to add goals to his game too. After he attempted to push his way out the St Mary’s exit door last summer, he may try again this time around.
Who needs him?
While Francis Coquelin has done the job in the deep-lying midfield roll since the turn of the year, Arsenal need an upgrade, and his fellow Frenchman would be ideal. Liverpool need him, but he’s unlikely to join a club only two places above Southampton in the table. The same goes for Spurs — both Manchester clubs may also express an interest.
Christian Benteke — Aston Villa
With 49 goals in 99 games since joining Aston Villa, Benteke is a proven Premier League striker. He lost form under Paul Lambert this season, but since ‘tactics Tim’ Sherwood took over, he’s been sensational. The Belgian international has 13 goals since the beginning of March and now Europe’s elite are taking notice again.
Who needs him? Liverpool are credited with the most interest in the Belgian, and while he would suit their system and provide goals, he may have loftier ambitions. Diego Costa’s injury woes and Didier Drogba’s retirement will see Mourinho dip into the transfer market for a striker, and Benteke is the type of player Mourinho loves in his side. A mention too for Arsenal, but he wouldn’t be such a significant upgrade on Olivier Giroud as other targets.
Edin Dzeko — Mancshester City
Perhaps not the most obvious transfer target, but he is 29 years old now and must surely be looking for a way out of Manchester City. The Bosnian has never really hit his stride in English football, despite showing the odd patch of good form and scoring some crucial goals. Amazingly, he’s in his fifth season at the Etihad.
Who needs him? Depending on the price he would be a good signing for Liverpool, who need at least three new strikers this summer. If Spurs managed to meet his wage demands, he’d likely fit in well there also. Outside the Premier League, a return to Wolfsburg looks most likely.