Top 5 Transfer Deals On The Cards This Summer
Far from slamming shut, the January transfer window was quietly placed back on the latch yesterday as Jim White struggled to make a big news story of Reece Oxford’s loan deal to Reading.
One of the most uneventful transfer windows in recent years saw the Premier League top six spend next to nothing, with only Arsenal dipping into deep pockets for small change to bring in Cohen Bramall from non-league Hednesford.
It’ll be a different story this August when the summer window comes to a close so we’ve profiled the big moves that are likely to have Jim White sweating like Diego Costa at a beauty contest this summer.
Wayne Rooney
The final item on Rooney’s to-do list at Old Trafford was finally ticked off when he became the club’s top goalscorer with a late free-kick at windy Stoke. But lest we forget he has been on the Wayne for some considerable time and has found himself a new home on the Manchester United bench, in a seat Bastian Schweinsteiger can only dream of.
United’s £260,000-a-week man will more than likely face a choice this season between a massive pay cut or a massive pay rise, and the latter could mean swapping Piccadilly for Peking.
The Chinese transfer window remains open until the end of February…
…but Rooney will hang around for United’s top four push, before getting the push himself.
Likely destination: Highest Chinese Bidder
Antoine Griezmann
The prime candidate for filling the Rooney-shaped hole at Old Trafford is Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2016 party pooper Antoine Griezmann. The diminutive Frenchman has been seen Twitter-flirting (Twirting?) with Manchester United and his brother recently teased with a suggestive picture on his own Twitter feed.
— Théo Griezmann (@TheoGriezmann) January 24, 2017
Jose Mourinho, under-inspired by Anthony Martial and with a nose for a headline transfer, is a known admirer and will be keen to unite Griezmann with international teammate Paul Pogba in the United starting line-up next season, but the price tag will be in the Pogba ball park.
Likely destination: Manchester United
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The Borussia Dortmund hitman is home from the Africa Cup Of Nations having scored Gabon’s only goals as hosts of the tournament.
With 25 goals last season, Aubameyang is heading towards a German Golden boot this season, topping the charts with 16 goals ahead of Robert Lewandowski, despite his recent absence due to international duty.
Real Madrid will be in the race but Pep Guardiola may also have a say given his frosty relationship and apparent distrust of Sergio Aguero. Coming up on the rails is a reunion with his old manager at Anfield.
Likely Destination: Manchester City/Real Madrid
Moussa Dembéle
He was only one year old when Henrik Larsson signed for Celtic, but last summer’s signing from Fulham has quickly endeared himself to the Parkhead faithful this season with a string of eye-catching performances.
Scouts from the Premier League big-hitters have been regulars in Glasgow this season and Chelsea were linked with a last ditch bid to lure the French U-21 international to London in the final week of the January transfer window.
Brendan Rodgers and his board scared the chasing pack off by suggesting they wouldn’t entertain bids of below £40m, so expect a tug-of-war this summer as potential suitors reload for another assault. With Diego Costa’s head turning towards Chinese millions, there may be a vacancy at the Champions elect.
Likely Destination: Chelsea
Virgil Van Dijk
Having already swapped Celtic Park for the Premier League, Southampton defender Virgil Van Dijk was on many a shopping list this January but an untimely injury ended any chance of a big money move.
Pep needs a Kompany replacement, Mourinho needs a partner for Bailly and Klopp needs to plug the leak in Liverpool’s back line so the Dutch centre back is likely to be subject to a Premier League scrap this summer. May the team who offers the most wages win…
Likely Destination: Manchester
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