The season is nearing its end and as always there are always some top players who will be linked with transfers in the summer. The end of this season can see some huge stars leave and join some of the biggest clubs in the world.
The summer transfer window this season will most likely be filled with activity as managers such as Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Zidane will try to stamp their authority in their respective clubs. Also, some stars have their contracts running out while others are looking for a move.
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We take a look at some of the top players who can move in the summer:
#10 Romelu Lukaku – Everton
Romelu Lukaku has had a season to remember for Everton. The Belgian has been in amazing form having scored 25 goals in 40 appearances for the Toffees this season. The big Belgian did not get too much time to prove himself at Chelsea, but ever since he moved to Everton, Lukaku has shown that he is among the best strikers in the Premier League.
With Everton languishing in 12th place, it looks like just a matter of time before Lukaku departs Merseyside. His father, Roger Lukaku even suggested that his son should join either Manchester United or Bayern Munich.
Speaking to Belgian news outlet Het Laatste Nieuws, Roger Lukaku, who himself was a professional footballer in Belgium, claimed that his son Romelu Lukaku should make the move to a European giant sooner rather than later, saying “He's ready. I see that there is interest from Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Chelsea and Manchester United.”
Despite labelling Manchester United as a team without ‘focus’, Lukaku Sr. would be glad to see his son move there, saying “I think he must choose Manchester United or Bayern Munich. Manchester United is a team under construction with no real focus. Bayern Munich is a machine where he can rotate well. The only condition is if Robert Lewandowski leaves.”
#9 Gonzalo Higuain – Napoli
Former Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain has been in stunning form for Napoli this season. The Argentine striker has already hit 32 goals this season and he has singlehandedly kept Napoli in the race for the Scudetto.
A hardworking striker and a prolific goalscorer, Higuaín is regarded as one of the top strikers of his generation, and is known in particular for his great striking ability, as well as his technical skill, and ability to hold up the ball and lay it off to other players. He is also known for his pace in the final third of the pitch, which makes him an offensive threat during counter-attacks.
Although Napoli are playing well in the Serie A their elimination in the Europa League against Villarreal showed that they are still some way away from the elite European clubs.
A striker of his abilities definitely needs to be playing in teams challenging for Champions League glory. Lot of teams like Arsenal, Machester United and even PSG have been linked with the Argentine hitman.
#8 Yaya Toure – Manchester City
Formerly a defender, Yaya Toure plays primarily as a box-to-box midfielder, often switching between offensive and defensive stances throughout matches. Touré is a complete and versatile midfielder, who can play in several midfield positions and he is regarded as one of the best midfielders of this generation.
When Pep Guardiola was announced as the Manchester City manager, Toure’s agent Dimitri Seluk was not a happy man.
Speaking to the Sun, Dimitri Seluk revealed he expected his client to leave City in the next transfer window. "I think Yaya will leave the club. But before leaving, I hope he will again win the league and all the cups," he said.
"It's not a question of whether Pep likes him or not. It's life, you know."
. After leaving Barcelona, Toure in an interview to Ona FM in February 2014 was quoted as saying
“'Whenever I asked him (Guardiola) something, he always gave strange answers. He pretty much ignored me until City's offer came in. “
Yaya Toure who is just 32 still will be coveted by plenty of teams with Chinese super league club Shanghai SIPG and Italian giants Inter Milan being touted as possible destinations.
#7 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Borussia Dortmund
37 goals in 39 games this season, Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been in stunning form for Dortmund. The Gabon international’s goals have finally helped Dortmund find a suitable replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
Known for possessing blistering pace, the talented forward has intelligent movement as well which enables him to get behind opposition defences. In addition to his blistering speed, Aubameyang also possesses excellent acceleration being able to reach his top speed in few strides.
The forward’s form has made him hot property in the transfer window with a host of big clubs interested in securing his services. Manchester United and Real Madrid have been linked with the Dortmund striker, with some reports even claiming that United are ready to offer £60 million.
Aubameyang has himself said he'd loved to play for the Los Blancos one day. "Real Madrid? There's no deal in place, but... I promised my granddad I'd play there one day," he said.
Further adding, "Like I've said before, I'd love to play in Spain and to finally enjoy a bit of good weather."
With Arsenal also said to be interested, Aubameyang may well end up leaving Dortmund during the summer transfer window.
#6 Eden Hazard – Chelsea
Last season, Eden Hazard had everything going for him. A Premier League trophy, a League Cup, the PFA Player of the Year award, two Chelsea Player of the Year awards and 19 goals in all competitions. Fate then intervened and had other plans for him in 2015/16.
We are now in April and Hazard has scored just twp goals in 32 games – one of them a penalty in the FA Cup against Championship side MK Dons. The Belgian forward has been more of a liability this season – first under Jose Mourinho and, now, under Guus Hiddink.
Zidane is an admirer of the Belgian and Hazard himself said it would be tough to say no to teams who are capable of winning the Champions League.
"Of course, [Madrid coach] Zinedine Zidane gets you interested. He was my idol when he was a player... and he's been saying good things about me for a long time.
"In any case, I want to work with the best managers in the world. Beyond that, I don't know if Zidane is in that category yet. He's only been training Real since the start of January."
"It's difficult to say no to PSG, like all the teams who are capable of winning the Champions League.
"PSG are part of that category now. And for me, to win the Champions League is the main aim. But for the moment I'm not dwelling on that."
#5 Zlatan Ibrahimovic & Edinson Cavani – Paris Saint-Germain
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s future has been subject to intense speculation in the last few months. The Swedish superstar’s contract is set to run out at the end of the season and he has been linked with everyone from the MLS to Real Madrid.
Ibrahimovic has also been linked with a move to the Premier League with Manchester United and Chelsea favourites to sign the Swedish talisman.
With rumoured interest from Qatar and the China, the interest from the Premier League will see Ibrahimovic stay in Europe. A report suggested that the Chinese government was willing to fund a deal to pay him €75 million a year to bring him to the Chinese Super League – a league which has already signed a number of players for big money, especially from Brazil.
Ibrahimovic’s striker partner Cavani has also been linked with a move to the Premier League.
In an interview with FOX Sports when asked about the prospect of moving to the Premier League he said, “Honestly, it would be wrong if I said no. It's is one of the most beautiful and important leagues in the world.”
Cavani has been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United recently and the striker has been flattered by the interest in him. “When as a player you have dreamed of playing at the highest level, it's normal that it gets your attention to be linked as a target as a possible addition to important clubs in the world.”
It looks more than likely that one of these strikers will depart from PSG in the summer.
#4 Robert Lewandowski & Mario Gotze – Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has not ruled out a possibility of moving out of the German football club amidst links with Spanish giants Real Madrid and French Ligue 1 heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain.
The 27-year-old's deal expires in 2019 but when asked if he will end his career at Bayern, the striker said it is hard to say.
"As a professional footballer, it's hard to say. Many times I have heard players say such a thing and then in comes another coach and they are no longer in such high demand or they get a very interesting offer," Lewandowski was quoted as saying by goal.com.
Lewandowski has been in absolutely brilliant form this season and many of Europe’s top clubs will be hoping to lure the Polish striker away from Bayern Munich.
Mario Gotze’s time at Bayern Munich looks to be coming to an end as reports of the midfielder wanting to leave become stronger. According to the Express Liverpool are confident of signing the World Cup winner this summer by taking advantage of Jurgen Klopp’s relationship with the player.
Gotze has indicated that he would like to work his former coach and Liverpool will look to use this fact to their advantage. Gotze was given his debut when he was at Borussia Dortmund by Klopp when he was only a teenager in 2009.
The World Cup winner could well be plying his trade in the Premier League next season.
#3 Paul Pogba and Alvaro Morata – Juventus
Pogba is one of the most sought after youngsters in the world and the youngster has been linked to a host of big clubs including PSG, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona. Pogba himself said that there was a possibility of him working with Guardiola.
In an interview with Sky Sports Deutschland, Pogba said:
“Right now I am still with Juventus, but clearly if you have a chance to work with someone like him, things can develop in the future.”
Pogba voiced his admiration for Guardiola further, saying “Guardiola has great experience and an immense philosophy of football. He is a coach who influences the squad and all the players respect him. You can only admire and try to learn something from him.”
Meanwhile, Pogba’s team-mate Morata has been linked with making a move back to his childhood club Real Madrid. Real Madrid have a £23.6m buyback clause which they might activate at the end of this season. Arsenal and Liverpool also are huge admirers of the young Spaniard’s talents.
Although Morata has not had the best of seasons for Juventus, he is still coveted by many top clubs across Europe.
#2 Isco and James Rodriguez – Real Madrid
The talented duo of Isco and James Rodriguez have not had a good season for Real Madrid so far. The Colombian who arrived at the Bernabeu for a whooping €80 million in 2014 could already be on his way out with Premier League giants Manchester United most interested in securing his services.
Both James and Isco have had very lukewarm seasons, with the former registering five goals and six assists in 19 matches while the latter has two goals and seven assists in 21 matches. They are in danger of being offloaded in the summer if they don’t make the most of their chances now. They will be the first to make way as the club undertake a clearout in the summer.
According to Marca, Manchester United have expressed interest in James Rodriguez and might need to pay as much as €80 million for the Colombian’s services, while Isco is reportedly interesting Arsenal, with the price for him said to be around €45 million.
A change in surroundings for the talented duo might see them redsicover their best form.
#1 Neymar – Barcelona
Neymar’s contract runs out in June 2018 and a host of big clubs including Real Madrid have been credited with an interest in securing the Brazilian’s services. However, some reports have suggested that Neymar has already signed a pre-contract with the Catalan side.
PSG are willing to break the bank to secure the Brazilian’s services. French newspaper L’Equipe on their front page claimed that Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain are thinking of spending big in the summer. The newspaper also reported that Paris Saint-Germain have no problems in paying Neymar’s release clause which is a staggering €193 million.
A deal for the Brazilian would not contravene FFP rules, especially if Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani leave the Ligue 1 champions this summer.
Neymar’s agent Wagner Ribiero is quoted as saying: “He feels good in Barcelona but living in Paris & playing for a club like PSG is also a dream for all players.”
The Brazilian forward earns 14.5m euros at Barcelona and PSG are ready to offer him close to 20m euros making him one of the highest-paid players in the world.
Although Barcelona are determined to hold on to Neymar, his father Neymar Sr. did admit bids were coming in for his son.
"Barcelona received an offer [for Neymar] last summer and rejected it," he told Ara.
"These offers are still coming, but the club is prepared to reject them.”
Barcelona will have to tread carefully, as any high wages will see them cross their salary cap, which will mean they might have to offload many players from their squad. This might lead to a sensational move for Neymar in the summer.
