5) Sergio Aguero – Real Madrid
A shining star for Manchester City last season, Aguero enjoyed quite a number of personal successes along the way, despite missing out on any silverware. Bagging 26 league goals, he was the leading scorer in the English top flight last season, managing to out-do both Kane and Diego Costa.
Now, Real Madrid are in the hunt for his unique skills, as they look to start building a head of steam as well as wrestling back control from Barcelona; both domestically and in the chase for the European Cup. Last season, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo led the line for Los Blancos in sublime fashion, but there were times the duo were relied on too much – particularly the Portuguese superstar, whose antics and apparent selfishness got in the way of team glory.
In short, Aguero could be the humble hero the Madridistas crave.
4) Mario Mandzukic – Manchester United
Eyed up by Manchester United, Mandzukic could be set to make his Premier League debut this year, particularly now that his relationship with Atletico Madrid has soured a great deal. On the look-out for a consistent net-rattler, his attributes as a quality marksman might not have stolen the headlines in the season just gone by, but he has proven himself in the past.
With that, the industrious frontman is keen to get his career back on track and a move to Old Trafford would see him shift into a much healthier environment where his services are badly needed. In truth, he could be employed a little deeper than simply an out-and-out striker and his adaptable nature would work well with United because he can hold the ball up superbly and would be able to bring so many others into any free-flowing moves they might create.
A tremendous goalscorer when he has the right set-up around him, he’d surely flourish with Angel Di Maria, Ander Herrera and Memphis Depay threading passes through to him.
If the move was to go through, Mandzukic will hope his stint goes a lot better than fellow countryman and namesake Mario Stanic who once won just a Community Shield with Chelsea 15 years ago.
3) Geoffrey Kondogbia - AC Milan
Though some will argue that AC Milan are no longer a powerhouse in the European game, they look ready to dismantle those preconceptions with a raid on the transfer market. Aided and abetted by a blank cheque approach, Kondogbia appears to be at the top of their list.
Aiming for youth over experience, the Rossoneri have their sights set on wiping the slate clean. Implementing a few promising players keen to prove themselves, it seems as though they want their future in the hands of the hustle, bustle and energy of rising stars. According to TalkSport, the 22-year-old Frenchman is nearing a deal with the club which could see him become the new face of a new era that looks set to be ushered in.
If anyone needs proof just how big of an impact a defensive midfielder can have on a team’s fortunes, they need look no further than another French success story in Francis Coquelin, whose intelligent play enabled Arsene Wenger’s men to play with confidence and class moving forward. Perhaps Kondogbia will have a similar effect in Milan.