As the summer approaches, football clubs are left to deal with the possibility of their best players leaving the Premier League at the end of the season. At the moment the league has no shortage of world-class players, whose contract negotiations have broken down, or are simply not satisfied with their situation at the club.
Also read: EPL 2016/17: Top 10 highest paid players in the Premier League
Many superstars in the past have chosen to exit the clubs that gave them a platform to shine for the sake of higher wages and better opportunities elsewhere. Let’s take a look at a few superstars who could quit the Premier League in the summer.
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#1 Dele Alli
Probably England’s finest young footballer at the moment, Dele Alli is now wanted by the biggest clubs in Europe. The 20-year-old, who started his football career with Championship side MK Dons at the tender age of 11, spent close to eight years with the club.
In the 2013-14 season, Allí became a regular in the senior side scoring goals time and again for his side. The Englishman even managed to score a hattrick for Dons before he turned 18.
Alli shot to fame after his performance in his side’s 4-0 win over Manchester United in the League Cup the following season. It became increasingly evident that he was a special player when clubs like Liverpool and Bayern Munich sent their scouts to watch him.
But despite interest from several clubs, it was Tottenham who snapped up the then 18-year-old in the final hours of the January transfer window for £5 million.
Since his arrival at White Hart Lane, Alli has developed into one of the best footballers under the age of 20 in the whole of Europe. He has 13 goals in 29 appearances for Spurs so far this season.
In the last few months, the 20-year-old midfielder, who is reportedly worth over £50 million, has been linked with a move to European giants including Juventus, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain.
#2 Sergio Aguero
The Argentine international, who has been ripping apart Premier League defences since 2011, could be leaving the English Premier League in the summer. After Pep Guardiola’s appointment as Manchester City’s manager, Aguero’s time on the pitch has drastically reduced as the Spanish manager’s style of play does not suit the 28-year-old’s abilities.
Having had talks with Guardiola about his future at the club recently, the Argentine has reportedly decided to leave England in the summer. 19-year-old Gabriel Jesus, who recently made his debut for City is slowly nudging Aguero out of the starting lineup.
However, with his ridiculous goal scoring ratio of 113 goals in 169 appearances in the Premier League, Aguero will have teams lining up for his signature. Pep Guardiola could end up regretting his decision to opt for the services of a 19-year-old instead of one of Premier League’s most lethal strikers.
Aguero has been linked with several European teams, including his boyhood club, Atletico Madrid, along with reigning Ligue 1 champions, Paris Saint-Germain. The 28-year-old, however, will not come cheap as Manchester City would demand at least £60 million for the Argentine.
#3 Wayne Rooney
The 31-year-old, who recently became Manchester United’s top goalscorer after surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 249 goals, is likely to leave England in the summer. Rooney is undoubtedly one of the greatest English footballers of this generation, but even the best have limits to their talent. Never has the striker spent so much of his time on the bench as he has this season.
With the summer arrivals in Paul Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic coming good, there is simply no place for Rooney in Mourinho’s team. But in reality, the 31-year-old hasn’t done enough this season to warrant a spot in the starting XI.
The five-time Premier League champion could be looking at a summer move to China after being linked with several Chinese Super League clubs in the last few months. Major League Soccer is another option for Rooney, who is valued at around £30 million in the current market.
#4 Mesut Ozil
The German playmaker could break the hearts of all Arsenal fans with a possible move away from the Premier League in the summer. With just a few months left on his contract with the Gunners, Ozil is yet to commit his future to the club.
Amidst reports of the 28-year-old seeking a new and improved contract from the club, the World Cup-winner recently stated that he wishes to stay at Arsenal, but his situation is entirely dependent on Arsene Wenger’s future at the Emirates. This could be the French manager’s final campaign with Arsenal as the 67-year old’s contract will expire at the end of the season.
It’s pretty clear that as long as Wenger stays at the club, Ozil will be willing to extend his contract, but keeping in mind the recent results of the Gunners, Wenger’s exit looks increasingly likely.
The German midfielder’s most likely destination will be Bayern Munich as the club can offer him large wages along with Champions League football and the prospect of silverware. Ozil is currently valued at over £50 million but that shouldn't be a problem for the Bavarians.
#5 Alexis Sanchez
It’s going to be a tough summer for Arsenal fans as Alexis Sanchez could be one of two superstars to leave the London club at the end of the season. The Chilean international has been holding out for £250,000 a week despite Arsenal already offering him a revised £180,000 a week contract.
The 28-year-old has been the standout performer in the Premier League with 17 goals and eight assists so far this season, however, he is growing frustrated with the lack of silverware and is reportedly looking for a way out.
The former Barcelona man joined the London club in 2014 and quickly established himself as one the best in England’s top flight. He has been worth every penny of the £31.7 million Wenger spent to get him to London, having notched up 61 goals in 121 appearances for the Gunners.
Sanchez, who is valued at £60 million, has been linked with clubs like Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain.
