English transfer market: Five players who offer value

The mad world of football transfer market is about to go crazier in the closing days. While many teams have splashed the cash, and some teams are looking desperately for quality, a certain Frenchman is still wondering how to spend a supposed £70 million war chest that no one seems to be convinced of. Here is a list of players who should be interesting some clubs.

Julio Cesar

Julio Cesar of Brazil celebrates his team’s third goal during the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 Final match between Brazil and Spain at Maracana on June 30, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

The veteran Brazilian keeper is still tied to the doomed QPR side led down spectacularly by Harry Redknapp. The Championship is no place for the Golden Glove winner of the recently concluded Confederations cup. Despite the occasional slip-up, Cesar was a solid presence in the QPR goal last season.

Entering a World Cup year, Luis Scolari will definitely not be happy with his first choice goalkeeper plying his trade in the Championship, meaning, in order to be on the flight to Brazil 2014, Cesar needs to move up. He offers a safe pair of hands, spectacular shot-stopping, leadership at the back and much needed experience.

These attributes are much needed at lot of Premier league clubs, and especially at Arsenal. Financial prudence at relegated QPR will help potential suitors land him for a cheap price. A top keeper at a throw away price. Is Arsène Wenger reading this?

Potential Suitors: Arsenal, big spending and ambitious Southampton.Possibility of a move: High.

James McCarthy

James McCarthy of Wigan

The Republic of Ireland international has a British flair in the bite and passion that he carries with him. Unlike so many other British-Irish players, he is comfortable with the ball; he also possesses energy and drive. A favourite of Roberto Martinez, he was a standout player with Wigan last season.

He can drop in just in front of defence and spread the ball around and dictate play, besides offering industry in the middle of the park. At just 22, McCarthy has lot of time for improvement, making him an ideal buy for many Premier League clubs.

According to the British media, he has been identified as Fellaini’s replacement by Martinez, should the Belgian leave Goodison Park. With age and ability on his side, McCarthy will not be available for anything less than £10 million.

Potential suitors: Everton, a re-union with the manager who carefully groomed McCarthy will be a win-win situation for all parties involved. Besides Everton, Newcastle could also look into McCarthy should Yohan Cabaye leave for greener pastures.

Possibility of a move: High.

Ashley Williams

Swansea City’s English-born Welsh defender Ashley Williams celebrates with the trophy after the League Cup final football match between Bradford City and Swansea City at Wembley Stadium in London, England on February 24, 2013. (GLYN KIRK,GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

After being persistently linked with both Arsenal and Liverpool during the previous summer window, Williams stayed with Swansea, leading them to silverware. The Swansea captain possesses pace, is comfortable with the ball and is a leader on the field, an attribute which suits both Arsenal and Liverpool even this season. With Thomas Vermaelen having an indifferent season, Arsenal could move for Williams. Such a move will not only pacify their disappointed fans (with curious banners and songs at the season opener against Aston Villa), but also add much needed quality as well as quantity to a severely depleted Arsenal squad. Similarly, at Liverpool, with Skrtel having fallen down the pecking order, there are only two senior centre backs, leaving room for Williams.

Potential Suitors: Arsenal, Liverpool.

Possibility of a move: Low. A calamitous showing by Arsenal in their midweek Champions League qualifier could prompt a knee-jerk reaction from Wenger, but it is highly unlikely that Swansea will sell their prized asset, with clock ticking out to find a suitable replacement.

Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea celebrates scoring a goal during the match between Chelsea and Indonesia All-Stars at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on July 25, 2013 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images)

José Mourinho’s much publicized pursuit of Wayne Rooney has cast a huge shadow on the role of Lukaku. After having a glorious season on-loan at the Hawthorns, it will be a tragedy if the Belgian just warms the bench this season. With Mourinho having a reputation of not trusting youngsters, and his system of a 4-3-3 coupled with the talent at Chelsea giving little room for Lukaku, his role and development remains in doubt under the current environment.

Being part of a talented Belgian squad, Lukaku will be keen on beating off competition from a more-impressive Benteke to be the leading man for Belgium in their qualifying campaign. As Chelsea will be not be interested in selling a potential super star, another loan spell could prove beneficial for both club and player.

Potential Suitors: Another loan spell at West Brom could prove to be as successful as the previous one. A loan spell abroad is also a possibility.

Possibility of a move: Medium. Possibility will increase should Chelsea sign another striker.

Micah Richards

Micah Richards of Manchester runs with the ball during the Audi Cup 2013 semifinal match between Manchester City and AC Milan at Allianz Arena on July 31, 2013 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images)

A lot many things were expected of a young Micah Richards when he broke into City’s first team as a teenager. In an ideal world, for all his talent, he should have been an England regular by now. But injuries, loss of form, constant change of managers and an influx of expensive purchases have resulted in a slowdown in Richards’s development, who finds himself on the periphery of the City squad.

At just 25, Richards is yet to enter the peak years for a defender. Along with his youth, he possesses pace, penchant for launching marauding runs down the flank (a valuable asset for an attacking full back), strength and good aerial ability – attributes essential for a top class defender. A move away from Eastlands for more game time and a good season should find him a place in the England squad for the World Cup.

Potential Suitors: Arsenal, again. With Bacary Sagna’s form being less than consistent, Richards could be an astute buy by Wenger. His versatility will see him filling in as a centre back, a much better option than Aaron Ramsey, who filled in that role during times of desperation. A loan move to clubs like Sunderland, Southampton will also offer valuable game time for Richards, at good value for those teams.

Possibility of a move: Medium.