Top 5 transfer targets who will be on the move this summer

The 2018-19 club season culminated with Liverpool cruising past Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League final in Madrid on the 1st of June. Since then, the players have joined their respective countries as several nations have engaged themselves in European qualifiers while others have a Copa America and an African Cup of Nations to tackle. Thus, the excitement quotient on the footballing calendar is certainly not going to get reduced anytime soon.

However, with the clubs not partaking in any competitions at present, the time is ripe for them to introspect what flaws remain and subsequently, iron those out before the 2019-20 term comes calling.

A host of clubs have already sprung into action with Real Madrid getting their hands on Luka Jovic, Eden Hazard and in all probability, Ferland Mendy. Though the English clubs have been relatively quiet so far, one can expect them to get their cheque books out pretty soon too.

Inevitably, the summer of 2019 would also throw its fair share of transfer sagas as players try to engineer moves away while on some other occasions, clubs break the bank to land their desired targets.

Having said that, it is warranted that we catch a glimpse of some of the hottest transfer properties going around this summer.

The players considered are those that have either openly expressed their desire to move or are widely expected to do so, considering they want a fresher challenge.

Without further ado, here is a look at the 5 footballers who would be in great demand in the summer:

#5. Hakim Ziyech (Ajax)

The Moroccan has been on Ajax’s books since the 2016-17 season and he has always been looked upon as a bright prospect. However, in 2018-19, that promise translated into performances and he emerged as one of the Dutch side’s best players in a superb campaign.

In the Eredevisie, Hakim Ziyech notched up a staggering 16 goals while he also popped up with 13 assists in 29 appearances, meaning that he averaged either a goal or an assist every time he graced the pitch.

Additionally, the forward was equally, if not more, impressive in the Champions League. A part of the Ajax side that nearly went all the way to the final, Ziyech made the net bulge thrice whereas he also laid on 3 assists for his teammates.

However, the most pleasing aspect this season has been the application he has shown. For a few years, Ziyech has been earmarked as a potential world-beater, courtesy the vast amount of talent he possesses. Yet, many a time, he frustrated due to his lacklustre attitude.

In the current season though, he allayed all those fears and came up trumps whenever Ajax searched for inspiration.

Capable of playing as a ‘No.10’ and a right sided attacking midfielder, the forward would be an extremely versatile option for Europe’s top clubs. Moreover, at 26 years of age, he is entering the peak years of his career and thus, would represent a sound option.

At this juncture, Ziyech has an extremely meagre transfer release clause, which if reports are to be believed, is somewhere around the €30 million mark. Thus, making him an appealing bargain.

Unsurprisingly then, the Moroccan could be the subject of an enormous bidding war come the summer.

#4. Bruno Fernandes (Sporting CP)

Bruno Fernades moved to Sporting CP in the 2017 off-season after a loan spell at Sampdoria. Since his arrival on Portuguese shores, the midfielder has been in sensational form and has captured the imagination of several across the globe.

An attacking midfielder by trade, Bruno notched up 20 league goals in the 2018-19 season in addition to the 13 assists he conjured. Moreover, he averaged 3.2 key passes per season, meaning that he was one of the most creative forces across Europe’s top five leagues.

Apart from the raw numbers he came up with, Bruno displayed exemplary composure whenever he took the field. The above attributes recently came to the fore in the UEFA Nations League final against Netherlands.

The midfielder was one of the sharpest players on the pitch that night with his brand of fearless football a sight to behold. Not shy of asking for the ball in tight areas, Bruno possesses the rare gift of going past players effortlessly and getting into good goal-scoring positions.

Thus, the Portuguese would improve most teams across Europe, especially with the skill set at his disposal.

Though his release clause at present stands at €100m, one can expect Sporting to negotiate a touch and offload him for around €70-80m.

In today’s market, a player of Bruno’s capabilities won’t come cheap but with European clubs blessed with more money than ever before, a bidding battle for the Portuguese seems a given.

At 24 years of age, the midfielder has time to develop into one of the world’s best midfielders. However, one gets the feeling that for the above to happen, he needs to pursue greener pastures.

Hence, it seems only a matter of time before the Portuguese packs his bags for another club.

#3. Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur)

The Danish midfielder has been a mainstay for Tottenham since moving from Ajax in 2013. For Spurs, Christian Eriksen has amassed more than 200 appearances and has epitomised the revolution brought about by Mauricio Pochettino.

In 2018-19, the midfielder was instrumental as Spurs surprised one and all to reach the Champions League final. He scored twice and bagged four assists in the Lilywhites’ superlative run.

Eriksen wasn’t too shabby in the Premier League either. He played a majority of the games and made the net ripple on 8 occasions. Apart from his goal-scoring contributions, he also assisted 12 goals. Thus, at this moment, he represents one of Spurs’ most influential players.

However, recently, there have been reports doing the rounds that the Danish midfielder wants to embark on a new escapade (read Real Madrid).

After having spent close to six years in England, one feels that the time is right for him to sign for a slightly bigger club continentally and live his dream of lifting the Champions League.

Eriksen is 27 years old currently and if he doesn’t move in the summer, he might not have another opportunity to do so.

Though there are still plenty of loose ends to tie up before a transfer materialises, one feels that one hasn’t heard the last of Eriksen’s transfer rumours this off-season.

#2. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)

Griezmann looks set to pursue a new challenge

Antoine Griezmann has been involved in a plethora of transfer chronicles over the years. The Frenchman, a World Cup winner, has been courted by Barcelona for the past couple of years. However, with a contract extension in 2018, many believed that he had put those stories to rest. Yet, with another startling revelation a few days ago, the rumour mill has started churning out the rumours again.

After five superb seasons at Atletico Madrid, the forward finally looks set to move on and one can expect plenty of suitors to line up for his coveted signature. Despite supposedly going through a lull recently, the Frenchman has racked up some incredible numbers in the La Liga.

Griezmann scored 15 goals in the league while he also stacked up 9 assists. Thus, indicating that the Frenchman still has a lot to offer to Europe’s elite.

At the moment, there has been no concrete decision on where he will end up plying his trade next season, with the only certainty being that it won’t be at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Though Griezmann would cost an absolute fortune, most teams wouldn’t mind splashing that amount of money on a footballer with a proven track record.

Thus, one can expect this transfer narrative to rage deep into the summer.

#1. Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax)

Several clubs are lining up to sign de Ligt

The Dutch defender has been a colossus at the back for Ajax ever since he made the grade from the youth side and he just took his game to another level in the 2018-19 season.

Captaining Ajax, Matthijs de Ligt led his club to the Champions League semi-final and a domestic double. In the process, the Dutchman showcased nerves of steel and a maturity beyond his years.

Through the course of the season, he averaged 4 clearances per game and was in the right place at the right time to mop up the danger. Additionally, he also rose high to score crucial goals with the net-bulgers against Juventus, Tottenham and more recently, England, quickly springing to mind.

An accomplished passer of the football, the defender was also a vital component in Ajax’s free-flowing attacking side. He allowed his side to build up the play methodically and rarely ever let his concentration drop with the ball at his feet.

Thus, on evidence, de Ligt looks one of the most complete defenders in the footballing fraternity currently. After all, being comfortable on the ball whilst also being astute defensively is not a combination found ubiquitously these days.

Hence, it isn’t surprising to see that at least five to six clubs are trying to acquire him. While no decision has yet been made, one can expect the above to come pretty soon.

But, there is no denying that de Ligt is simply the hottest transfer prospect going around at the moment.

Edited by Zaid Khan