Players who top European clubs should sell in the summer

As we near the end of the 2014/15 season, the transfer rumours for the 2015 summer transfer window are heating up. The top clubs around Europe’s top leagues are being linked with a host of quality players, but before window closes, these top clubs will have to offload many of their current players to balance the books and make space for the new arrivals.All the players we’ve listed in the slideshow should be sold because they are no longer important members of the squad and have fallen down the pecking order or are ageing quickly. It is about time these players to make way for youth so that the team is able to move forward quickly and make a little money off the player.We’ve only considered some of the top teams from the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1:

#1 Arsenal

L to R: Jenkinson, Arteta, Campbell, Podolski and Miyaichi

Mikel Arteta

Arsenal have found an answer for their midfield problems this season in the form of Francis Coquelin and now Arsene Wenger doesn’t have space to accommodate some of his other midfielders including their captain Mikel Arteta. Arteta is already 33 and Wenger is known to keep a young squad. So, it is time Arteta moved on.

Lukas Podolski

It was clear that Arsene Wenger doesn’t see any future for Podolski at Arsenal as he sent the German on loan in January, but the 29-year-old hasn’t had a good time in Serie A either. A return to his boyhood club FC Koln in Bundesliga could be beneficial for all parties involved.

Carl Jenkinson

Jenkinson is enjoying a good season on loan at West Ham but the 23-year-old will probably be the fourth choice right back at Arsenal. The Gunners signed Debuchy and Chambers in the summer, and the emergence of young Hector Bellerin will make it difficult for Jenkinson. Considering the good season he has had this time around, there will be a few suitors for him.

Joel Campbell

Many people thought that Joel Campbell would have a role to play at Arsenal following his heroics at the FIFA World Cup, but the Costa Rican has struggled to find game time. His current loan spell at Villarreal is not progressing well either and so it is hard to see any future for him at Arsenal.

Ryo Miyaichi

Miyaichi was destined for big things at Arsenal, but the pacy Japanese has struggled at every club he has been loaned out to. His current loan spell with FC Twente isn’t going well either and he has now been demoted to play with the reserves. There is little reason for the Gunners to keep him on their paybooks.

#2 Chelsea

L to R: Marin, Moses, Salah, Mikel and Atsu

John Obi Mikel

It is becoming increasingly obvious that Jose Mourinho doesn’t trust Mikel enough to start him even when Matic is unavailable with the Portuguese choosing young center back Kurt Zouma to play in midfield over Mikel. The Nigerian may not have what it takes to start for Chelsea, but he is certainly a good player who can start week in week out for another top-flight club.

Marko Marin

Marko Marin was once dubbed the German Messi, but he hasn’t come close to living up to the hype. Marin was loaned to Serie A side Fiorentina for the current season, but the deal was terminated halfway through the season and he was then loaned out to Anderlecht in Belgium. A quick glance at his career and nobody would argue if Chelsea use the German to help them with financial fair play.

Victor Moses

It is not clear why Chelsea brought Victor Moses in the first place, but nevertheless the Nigerian doesn’t figure in Jose Mourinho’s long term plans. After his poor loan spell at Liverpool last season, he is now enjoying a good season at Stoke City. If Stoke decide to step up their interest in the winger and bid for him, then Chelsea could even make a profit from his sale.

Christian Atsu

Christian Atsu joins a long list of young players who join Chelsea and then go out on loan. The Ghanaian is currently on loan at Everton, but he has been mainly used as a substitute and hasn’t had enough opportunities. When you look at how readily Chelsea sold Lukaku after a great season on loan at Everton, you can do the math and get that Atsu will probably be on his way out of the club without even making a single appearance.

Mohamed Salah

Chelsea snatched Mohamed Salah from right under Liverpool’s nose, but they’ve hardly ever used the Egyptian. Salah spent majority of his time at Chelsea on the bench and was loaned to Fiorentina in the winter transfer window. His is currently enjoying a good period with the viola and Chelsea could milk the cow and sell him when his stakes are high.

#3 Liverpool

L to R: Aspas, Borini, Coates, Balotelli, Alberto

Fabio Borini

Fabio Borini was Brendan Rodgers’ first signing as a Liverpool manager, but the Italian is now being frozen out of the team. Liverpool were eager to sell Borini to Sunderland before the current season, but Borini stayed to fight for his place. Since Gus Poyet is no longer at Sunderland, Liverpool may need to find new suitors for the 24-year-old.

Mario Balotelli

When Liverpool signed Mario Balotelli, it was met with excitement from the Kopites. But, that positivity has now died gradually after the mercurial Italian has scores just four goals for Liverpool in 26 appearances. Balotelli clearly doesn’t suit Liverpool’s playing style and a return to Serie A is on the cards, but it remains to be seen if Liverpool can find a suitor for him after the poor season he has had.

Sebastian Coates

Sebastian Coates was named as the best young player of the 2011 Copa America and Liverpool snapped up the promising Uruguayan, but after four seasons, 24 appearances for Liverpool, 2 separate failed loan spells and many injuries it might be time for Liverpool to cut their losses and sell the towering center back.

Luis Alberto

Liverpool have made many transfers which made absolutely no sense under the Brendan Rodgers and Luis Alberto is one of them. The young Spaniard was snapped up from Sevilla for significant fee considering the player’s short resume. However, Liverpool hardly used Alberto last season and his current loan spell at Malaga is also turning out to be a disaster.

Iago Aspas

Iago Aspas is notoriously remembered by Liverpool fans for his terrible corner that led to Chelsea’s second goal at Anfield last season. This season, despite scoring a few goals for Sevilla, he is still behind Carlos Bacca and Kevin Gameiro in the pecking order. If Sevilla does decide to buy him permanently, Liverpool would accept it with both hands.

#4 Manchester United

Rafael

Although Rafael has stated that he wants to stay and fight for his place at Man Utd, Van Gaal’s decision to play Valencia as the first choice right back for almost the entire season emphasizes that the manager has lost faith in Rafael. United are linked with Southampton’s Clyne and if the Englishman does arrive at Old Trafford, then it is curtains on Rafael’s Man Utd career.

Jonny Evans

Jonny Evans had a good opportunity to win the faith of his manager, but his spitting incident has probably ended his time at Manchester United. Van Gaal trusts the pair of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, and the Dutchman also has some young players like Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair to fall back on. Evans has tumbled down the selection list and then there is the inevitable arrival of another center back next season.

Robin van Persie

Robin van Persie has shown signs of age catching up to him as he is clearly not the same player who fired United to their 20^th league title. With Wayne Rooney also nearing his thirties, United will need a much younger striker to come into the team and settle into the side by the time Wayne Rooney is ready to make way. If United sell Van Persie now they could make good money as Van Persie can still play for some other top club.

Tom Cleverley

Cleverley’s situation at Man Utd needs no explanation. Van Gaal was ready to loan him out this season because the Englishman doesn’t figure in his plans. Cleverley hasn’t done anything exceptional to warrant a return to Man Utd and the good form of players like Carrick, Herrera and Fellaini leaves no space for the academy product. If Villa beat the drop then United could try their best to sell Cleverley to them.

Nani

Nani is yet another senior player who went on loan this summer after Louis van Gaal’s arrival. The Portuguese ace is enjoying a good season on loan at Sporting, but he may still not have a place at United as Van Gaal is not even able to accommodate record signing Di Maria in the side. Nani’s huge wage bill maybe a stumbling block, but United should sell him rather than risk losing him on a free.

#5 Real Madrid

L to R: Arebloa, Illarramendi and Coentrao

Fabio Ceontrao

The reason why Real Madrid should sell Fabio Coentrao is not because the Portuguese is a bad player, but because he is more than capable of just settling as Marcelo’s back up. Coentrao has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid for a while now and this summer could be the time when it finally happens. If Real can sell Coentrao then they can peacefully pursue their growing interest in Jose Gaya of Valencia.

Alvaro Arbeloa

It’s just a matter of time before Real Madrid announce the departure of Alvaro Arbeloa. The 32-year-old is already playing back up to Carvajal and the Spanish giants have already announced the signing of Porto’s Danilo. With two young and quality right backs playing ahead of him, Arbeloa will have no role to play at Real Madrid.

Asier Illarramendi

Asier Illarramendi was one of the stars of the Spanish U21 team which won the 2013 U21 Euro, but the young Spaniard hasn’t been able to live up the expectations that surrounded him following his big-money move to Real Madrid. He received chances to impress after the injury to Luka Modric, but even then he couldn’t cement down a starting spot. Real need someone who can step into midfield with more ease and Illarramendi doesn’t fit the bill.

#6 Barcelona

Douglas

Why did Barcelona buy Douglas? The answer is a mystery. The Brazilian joined Barcelona in the summer, but Luis Enrique trusts the veteran Dani Alves as his first choice, followed by Martin Montoya and Adriano. Douglas was a relatively unknown entity when he joined Barcelona and still remains so. He has so far played just 4 games for the club and it doesn’t look like Enrique is keen to give Douglas a chance anytime soon. Maybe the Catalans should sell him before they have to incur a huge loss.

Ibrahim Afellay

Injuries have hampered the promising career of Ibrahim Afellay. The Dutchman is currently on loan at Olympiakos and is enjoying a good injury free season after a long time. He may not have a place at Barcelona anymore as the trio of Messi, Suarez and Neymar has made it nearly impossible for anyone to challenge their starting spots. The 29-year-old could find suitors in Netherlands at ease or could even stay back with Olympiakos.

Alex Song

Alex Song is yet another player who was loaned out this season by Barcelona because they don’t see any future for him at the club. Song has enjoyed a good season on his return to the Premier league and that could prompt some of the Premier League clubs to bid for the midfielder as he may be available for a slashed price.

#7 Bayern Munich

Dante

It is amazing how Jupp Heynckes won the treble for Bayern with Dante in the heart of their defence. The Brazilian has been the weak link in the Bayern side on many occasions when he played, with the recent defeat against Porto acting as proof. Bayern have Boateng, Benatia and Badstuber, who are all experienced players and should now look for a younger center back instead of relying on the erratic Dante.

Rafinha

Bayern Munich have sorted out their left back position for another decade at least by signing young Bernat to compete with the prolific Alaba. The same cannot be said for the right-hand side of their defence though as Lahm is already 31 and Rafinha is closing on the 30 mark. In addition to this Rafinha clearly doesn’t possess the same quality of other full backs in the Bayern side. It is time to let the Brazilian go and look for younger options.

Claudio Pizarro

Claudio Pizarro is 36 years old and has hardly featured for Bayern Munich this season. The veteran was once a killer striker, but now he doesn’t have a major role to play at Bayern anymore. The Bavarians should consider letting him go to another club where he can finish his career on a high and not as a benchwarmer.

#8 Borussia Dortmund

L to R: Hofmann, Kirch, Immobile and Ramos

Ciro Immobile

Borussia Dortmund signed Ciro Immobile as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, but the Italian has struggled in front of goal in his debut season in Germany. Jurgen Klopp has given the former Serie A top scorer plenty of chances to shine, but he has been a huge let down. Thankfully for Dortmund, Aubameyang has stepped up in the second half of the season and it would probably be a good idea to let Immobile go.

Adrian Ramos

Adrian Ramos was one of the standout performers for Hertha BSC last season and that was probably why Dortmund signed him, but the Colombian has seen a very bad drought in front of goal and is now struggling to get game time. Dortmund may still be able to cut their losses and sell the 29-year-old to another Bundesliga club before it’s too late.

Oliver Kirch

It is very difficult to understand why Borussia Dortmund are still keeping Oliver Kirch at the club. The 32-year-old has only played 24 times in his three seasons at the club and clearly doesn’t possess the quality of other midfielders in the Dortmund side. Letting the veteran go won’t be a bad option for Dortmund as they can now try and build a new look side next season with younger and better players.

Jonas Hofmann

Young Jonas Hofmann made headlines last season when he scored the winning goal for Dortmund on the opening day of the season, but since then he has slowly faded away. The German joined Mainz on loan this season, but has so far managed just 10 appearances overall for his current club. A player who cannot break into the first 11 of Mainz may find it even more difficult to find a place in Dortmund and so he could be sold to a club where his services will be of better use.

#9 Juventus

Fernando Llorente

Fernando Llorente had a decent first season at Juventus, but this season he has struggled in front of goal and has lost his place to a younger and more prolific Alvaro Morata. Llorente is already 30 and if Juventus cash in on him now, then they can make a very good profit on a player who they got for free!

Luca Marrone

Marrone came through Juve’s youth set up and was destined for big things, but at the age of 25, things look bleak for the Italian. Marrone returned to Juventus after his loan spell with Sassuolo, but the Italian has not played a single minute of football this season for his club with the likes of Pirlo, Vidal, Pogba and Marchisio to compete with. It may be time for Marrone to move on with his career elsewhere.

Mauricio Isla

It was clear that Juventus didn’t have plans to include Isla in their plans for the current season as he was sent on loan to QPR. The Chilean’s performance for the relegation-threatened London side hasn’t been convincing and so it is doubtful that he’ll have a future with Juventus when he returns to Turin for next season. If the Old Lady can find a permanent suitor for Isla, then they would take him off their books without second thoughts.

#10 PSG

Yohan Cabaye

When Yohan Cabaye made a move back to France, it was a big blow for Newcastle United. However, his move to PSG has found him on an unfamiliar position – the bench. Motta, Verratti and Matuidi are clearly Blanc’s preferred midfield and now Rabiot also seems to be above Cabaye in the pecking order. It won’t be difficult to find a buyer for Cabaye, but PSG can forget getting back a major share of the money they paid for him.

Ezequiel Lavezzi

Ezequiel Lavezzi has never looked like the same player who made headlines in the Serie A, after joining PSG. The Argentine has lost his place in the team to the younger players like Lucas Moura and Javier Pastore and now rumours of him being wanted by other top European clubs are also surfacing. Since Lavezzi is already thirty, this would be the best time for PSG to sell him if they want to recoup some of his original transfer fee.

Lucas Digne

PSG had to part with a lot of money when they signed Lucas Digne from Lille last season, but the youngster has struggled to progress with his new club. Maxwell’s good form has made it incredibly difficult for Digne to get proper playing time and it would be beneficial for him as well to make a move now and reignite his club career elsewhere.

Edited by Staff Editor