Common market: The top players who could be on the move this summer
(Part 2 of 2)
Transfer sagas before they happen, and where the top players may end up
Attacking midfielders, second strikers and wingers
Royston Drenthe (25, Real Madrid): After completing a mixed six-month loan deal with Everton, it's being rumoured that the Dutch wide midfielder will be staying on in Merseyside, though not in a blue shirt. Available on a free transfer, Drenthe could well fulfil the potential he showed at Feyenoord before he moved to Madrid should he settle in England and get regular first-team football.
Ezequiel Lavezzi (27, Napoli): Italian giants Inter Milan and French nouveau riche club PSG are rumoured to be seriously interested in the barrel-chested, wide attacker, who averages 10 goals a season in one of Europe's most defensively dominated leagues. A sparkling run by Napoli in the 2011-12 Champions League has helped to highlight Lavezzi's talents: close control, improvisation and a knack of scoring important goals. [Edit: now at PSG after moving for some €26 million.)
Hulk (26, Porto): The stocky right-sided attacker packs one of the most explosive shots in world football. He regularly tops the scoring and assists charts in Portugal and is reportedly talking to Chelsea about a big money move to the Premier League.
Eden Hazard (21, Lille) Destination? Manchester. Possibly the most coveted transfer target of the summer, the Lille winger and playmaker is at the time of writing said to be soon wearing a blue shirt. The Ligue 1 Player of the Year for both 2011 and 2012 has hit 17 goals and 15 assists in 37 Ligue 1 games. [Edit: Now at Chelsea.]
Borja Valero (27, Villarreal): Following Villarreal's relegation to the Segunda División, the creative central midfielder will be on the move to pastures new. Intelligent movement, industry and a tidy recycling of the ball mark out Valerio (who has one cap for Spain), while six goals in 44 appearances this season will have shown potential suitors what they'll get back upon a modest transfer outlay.
Clint Dempsey (29, Fulham FC): The Fulham attacker has played more of an advanced role in the last two seasons, switching from wide right to playing just behind the traditional number 9. And Dempsey has got better and better, scoring a career best 23 goals in 46 appearances this past season. Capable in the air, inventive (as shown by his sublime chipped goal versus Juventus in the 2010-11 Europa League), with good movement and a knack of being in the right place, it will be no surprise if he satisfies his desire for Champions League football at one of the top British clubs. Arsenal perhaps?
Moussa Doumbélé (24, Fulham): Under Martin Jol, Dembélé has moved to a slightly deeper position in the Fulham team. He began life as a traditional number 10, but with a wide range of passing, tight control and upper body strength, he has developed into a regista, deep-lying playmaker. A lack of goals is one weakness that should be addressed by the Belgium international, but that aside he looks to have become the long-term replacement to the departing Danny Murphy. However, with just one year left on his contract, Dembele may well look to move to a club competing in European competition in the next few months. Chelsea and Spurs have been linked.
Nicolás Gaitán (24, Benfica): The Argentinean attacking midfielder has had two good seasons at Benfica, after replacing the departing Ángel di María who he switched to Real Madrid in 2010. Press speculation has seen Gaitán linked with Manchester United, though this now looks more like the work of his agent in drumming up interest. At one point last season he led the way in the Champions League for the most assists in the 2011-12 competition and further development could see him land the big move his agent is touting for.
Mathieu Valbuena (27, Marseille): Despite Olympique de Marseille only finishing in mid-table last season, Valbuena has already stated his intention to remain at the club. A lack of financial resources and his strong performances in the Champions League and at times for the French national side may say otherwise, should any top clubs come calling. Some 14 assists and nine goals in 45 games during 2011-12 offers a high yield for the diminutive attacker.
Stéphane Sessègnon (28, Sunderland): The Benin attacker scored eight goals in 41 games for Sunderland last term, and his pace, close control and goal scoring has reportedly attracted the attention of several high profile clubs. Sessègnon also announced at one point that he was homesick, though this seems to have been overcome, with a prolonged stay on Wearside the most likely outcome as to what happens to him this summer.
Ibrahim Afellay (26, Barcelona): A serious knee injury in September 2011 curtailed Afellay's 2011-12 season, though he returned to first-team football just in time to make Holland's Euro 2012 squad, scoring twice against Northern Ireland in a pre-tournament warm-up game. Afellay can play on either wing or as an attacking midfielder, and has an excellent goal-scoring record from midfield, hitting 13 goals in the 2008-9 term at PSV Eindhoven. Unable to break into the Barca first team, a divorce looks to be coming in the near future.
Shinji Kagawa (23, was Dortmund – now Man Utd): Following his best season in Germany, Kagawa has recently completed a move to Manchester United, where he'll compete with the likes of Giggs, Nani and Valencia for a role as an attacking midfielder. Playing in the number 10 position for Dortmund, he may even find himself in competition with United talisman Wayne Rooney for the role of trequartista.
Steven Jovetić (22, Fiorentina): Former Partizan second striker or attacking midfielder 'Jo-Jo' is one of the brightest talents in Serie A. Napoli and Juve have been cited as admirers of the six-foot, left-footed attacker, who scored 14 goals in 27 games during Fiorentina's dismal season last year. And Jovetić has proven equally adept on the national stage: nine goals in 20 appearances for Montenegro point to a rosy future. Fiorentina, so far, remain determined to keep him.
Victor Moses (21, Wigan): The powerful, athletic Moses has been fair set for stardom ever since moving to the UK from Nigeria when he was 11 years old. Playing a pivotal role in Wigan's survival bid, he's begun to show real potential, with six goals and six assists in 37 appearances last season. A big future lies ahead, though with just one year left on his contract, it may not be at the DW Stadium.
Ezequiel Lavezzi (27, Napoli): Italian giants Inter Milan and French nouveau riche club PSG are rumoured to be seriously interested in the barrel-chested, wide attacker, who averages 10 goals a season in one of Europe's most defensively dominated leagues. A sparkling run by Napoli in the 2011-12 Champions League has helped to highlight Lavezzi's talents: close control, improvisation and a knack of scoring important goals. [Edit: now at PSG after moving for some €26 million.)
Wesley Sneijder (27, Inter Milan): Without Champions League football next season for Inter Milan, attacking midfielder Sneijder may well decide to move on from the San Siro this summer. Heavily linked to Man Utd last term, the UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year for 2010 would be a high profile capture and impressive signing for any club that can agree a deal with him.
Hulk (26, Porto): The stocky right-sided attacker packs one of the most explosive shots in world football. He regularly tops the scoring and assists charts in Portugal and is reportedly talking to Chelsea about a big money move to the Premier League.
Eden Hazard (21, Lille) Destination? Manchester. Possibly the most coveted transfer target of the summer, the Lille winger and playmaker is at the time of writing said to be soon wearing a blue shirt. The Ligue 1 Player of the Year for both 2011 and 2012 has hit 17 goals and 15 assists in 37 Ligue 1 games. [Edit: Now at Chelsea.]
Junior Hoilett (21, Blackburn Rovers): The Canadian winger/attacking midfielder stood out in season 2011-12 despite his club's woeful form and eventual relegation. Seven goals and six assists in 34 league games represented a fine return for the diminutive but nippy Hoilett, with several spectacular long-range strikes catching the eye. He's said to be going to Germany to play for Borussia Moenchengladbach, although half the Premier League would love to snap him up for next season, with any prospective new employers only needing to pay whatever compensation is deemed sufficient by a tribunal.
Milos Krasic (27, Juventus): The Serbian winger has endured a difficult season, watching on from the sidelines and out of favour with coach Antonio Conte as Juventus have set Serie A ablaze. He scored some nine goals in all competitions in his first year at the Old Lady – a respectable sum, and he interested Tottenham Hotspur and Zenit St Petersberg in the January transfer window.
Ganso (22, Santos): The Brazilian starlet has been constantly linked with a move to Europe over the last 18 months, and FC Porto and AC Milan are the latest names in the frame. A blistering start to his Campeonato Brasileiro Série A career in 2009 saw him score eight goals in 31 games from attacking midfield positions, and he has since gone on to feature for the full Brazil side regularly under Mano Menezes. However a poor 2011 and a lacklustre World Club Challenge mean that Paulo Henrique Ganso has much still to prove. (Edit: Said to be on the verge of a domestic transfer to Internacional.)
Lucas Moura (19, Sao Paulo): After Neymar, Lucas Moura is widely considered as the best Brazilian prospect currently playing his trade in South America. Operating as a winger or wide attacker, the young Brazilian is said to be attracting the attentions of Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan, with the Londoners recently bidding €40 million for his services. It wasn't enough to gain his registration, and if Lucas continues to dazzle, as he has done in his 11 caps for Brazil, a much higher sum will be needed to capture him.
Borja Valero (27, Villarreal): Following Villarreal's relegation to the Segunda División, the creative central midfielder will be on the move to pastures new. Intelligent movement, industry and a tidy recycling of the ball mark out Valerio (who has one cap for Spain), while six goals in 44 appearances this season will have shown potential suitors what they'll get back upon a modest transfer outlay.
Rasmus Elm (24, AZ): Swedish midfield schemer Elm has been linked with several English sides over the last year as he enjoyed his most successful season yet, scoring 10 goals in 32 league games, with countless assists along the way. A deep-lying playmaker or wide attacking midfielder, should free-kick specialist Elm impress at Euro 2012 he could well be on the move before September.
Younès Belhanda (22, Montpellier HSC): Belhanda has been compared to Robert Pires in France, and a successful Ligue 1 winning league campaign has only helped the Moroccan attacking midfielder's stock rise higher. He recently confirmed a wish to remain in France to play Champions League football, but should one of the big boys come knocking, a transfer could well happen, particularly if any of his club mates move first.
Hatem Ben Arfa (25, Newcastle United): Ben Arfa scored five goals in 26 league appearances this season, several of which have been in the running for various goal of the season competitions. Playing in the number 10 position or off either wing, the French flyer has technique, pace in a abundance and a devilish left foot. After breaking his leg early in his Newcastle United career he looks to have won over the Geordie faithful and could well feature for France in their 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
Clint Dempsey (29, Fulham FC): The Fulham attacker has played more of an advanced role in the last two seasons, switching from wide right to playing just behind the traditional number 9. And Dempsey has got better and better, scoring a career best 23 goals in 46 appearances this past season. Capable in the air, inventive (as shown by his sublime chipped goal versus Juventus in the 2010-11 Europa League), with good movement and a knack of being in the right place, it will be no surprise if he satisfies his desire for Champions League football at one of the top British clubs. Arsenal perhaps?
Moussa Doumbélé (24, Fulham): Under Martin Jol, Dembélé has moved to a slightly deeper position in the Fulham team. He began life as a traditional number 10, but with a wide range of passing, tight control and upper body strength, he has developed into a regista, deep-lying playmaker. A lack of goals is one weakness that should be addressed by the Belgium international, but that aside he looks to have become the long-term replacement to the departing Danny Murphy. However, with just one year left on his contract, Dembele may well look to move to a club competing in European competition in the next few months. Chelsea and Spurs have been linked.
Nicolás Gaitán (24, Benfica): The Argentinean attacking midfielder has had two good seasons at Benfica, after replacing the departing Ángel di María who he switched to Real Madrid in 2010. Press speculation has seen Gaitán linked with Manchester United, though this now looks more like the work of his agent in drumming up interest. At one point last season he led the way in the Champions League for the most assists in the 2011-12 competition and further development could see him land the big move his agent is touting for.
Stéphane Sessègnon (28, Sunderland): The Benin attacker scored eight goals in 41 games for Sunderland last term, and his pace, close control and goal scoring has reportedly attracted the attention of several high profile clubs. Sessègnon also announced at one point that he was homesick, though this seems to have been overcome, with a prolonged stay on Wearside the most likely outcome as to what happens to him this summer.
Ibrahim Afellay (26, Barcelona): A serious knee injury in September 2011 curtailed Afellay's 2011-12 season, though he returned to first-team football just in time to make Holland's Euro 2012 squad, scoring twice against Northern Ireland in a pre-tournament warm-up game. Afellay can play on either wing or as an attacking midfielder, and has an excellent goal-scoring record from midfield, hitting 13 goals in the 2008-9 term at PSV Eindhoven. Unable to break into the Barca first team, a divorce looks to be coming in the near future.
Shinji Kagawa (23, was Dortmund – now Man Utd): Following his best season in Germany, Kagawa has recently completed a move to Manchester United, where he'll compete with the likes of Giggs, Nani and Valencia for a role as an attacking midfielder. Playing in the number 10 position for Dortmund, he may even find himself in competition with United talisman Wayne Rooney for the role of trequartista.
Luka Modrić (26, Tottenham): With Spurs failing to secure Champions League football last season, the slight Croatian playmaker will most likely look to move to pastures new. A transfer request was ignored last season by the Tottenham Hotspur hierarchy but another push to leave, coupled with a big money bid, may prove hard to resist for the financially shrewd Daniel Levy and his fellow board members.
