Transfer Window 2015: 10 Soccer Stars Who Could Be Switching Clubs
By Ty Duffy
Europe’s soccer season is just about over. The summer transfer madness is about to begin. Raised hopes. Unsourced gossip. Billions filtering through an opaque marketplace. It’s a hoot.
Manchester City must rebuild. Manchester Unitedmust sign a few top class players, as they whiffed on a couple last year. Real Madrid needs a major signing or three to soothe the sore of finishing second. Arsenal are, as always, a goalkeeper/defender/physical midfielder/elite striker away (and will probably sign an attacking midfielder). Barcelona can’t sign anyone. Or, possibly could, if said player is willing to wait until January to play.
Here are 1o high profile players that could move or, at the very least, will be linked to moves persistently for headline purposes.
Paul Pogba [Juventus]
The 22-year-old Frenchman may be the world’s best central midfielder. If not, he’s on he’s on his way. Juventus offers trophies – Paul Pogba is about to play in the Champions League final – but he could triple his salary outside Italy. So…yeah. Logic precludes his former club Manchester United, though Pogba himself did not. Prospective suitors must go outrageous or go home.
Potential Destinations: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, PSG
David De Gea [Manchester United]
The best Spanish players play in Spain, or something like that. The 24-year-old Eurovision critic starred for the Red Devils this season. That has attracted Real Madrid, perhaps the one club bigger than Manchester United. Home is hard to turn down. So is money, prestige and the chance to let that hair flow without being laughed at. Expect David de Gea to go.
Potential Destination: Real Madrid
Raheem Sterling [Liverpool]
He’s 20. He’s talented. He’s English. After refusing to sign a contract extension (with a $100,000 per week raise), Raheem Sterling may as well be Margaret Thatcher on Merseyside. His contract has two years left, though the fee lessens the longer Liverpool waits. Getting paid more for the chance to win things (and not live in Liverpool) seems reasonable enough. The only thing still great about Liverpool is its reputation. Set the over/under at 1.5 asinine John Henry comments as this plays out. Take the over.
Potential Destinations: Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea.
Petr Cech [Chelsea]
Petr Cechwas a solid fixture for a decade at Stamford Bridge. Last season, Thibault Courtois displaced him. Cech wants to start. At 33, he’s got four or five years left, at least. Chelsea won’t want him to join an English rival. But, Arsenal and Manchester United seem like, far and away, the best options for him. He handled his demotion graciously. Expect the club to handle his exit the same way.
Potential Destinations: Arsenal, Manchester United, PSG
Edinson Cavani [PSG]
Purportedly one of the world’s best strikers. Fated, for both club and country, to be played out of position to accommodate a better one. PSGwill want to keep Edinson Cavani, with Ibrahimovic heading off next summer. But, he may not be happy in Paris. If he’s inclined to leave, there’s a substantial market. He could command enough cash to free PSG to muscle into, say, the Paul Pogba bidding.
Potential Destinations: Juventus, Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal
Gareth Bale [Real Madrid]
Gareth Bale became the world’s most expensive signing in 2013. .He has become the fans’ scapegoat. His sin is not quite being Cristiano Ronaldo (and having to defer to him on free kicks). Bale’s agent has been making loud noises. Speculation will link him to the usual suspects. Though, judging from those who know him, it may just be speculation, at least for this summer.
Potential Destinations: Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City
Angel Di Maria [Manchester United]
Manchester United bought Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid for a record $90 million in August. After a hot start, the Argentine went cold, at some points struggling to make a first choice Starting XI. Di Maria still could come good, settling in during a second season. But, if a club was willing to come bail them out on that transfer fee, possibly throwing in a Dutch defender, United would listen.
Potential Destination: PSG
Arturo Vidal [Juventus]
Arturo Vidal has been a mainstay in the midfield for Juventus, one of the best all-around on the continent. The 28-year-old Chilean’s contract expires after next year. Age from here forward will diminish his transfer fee. This summer is the optimal time to cash out. A South American report has him heading to Arsenal after Copa America. It’s the same reporter who broke the Alexis Sanchez news. Sanchez has the same agent as Vidal. Interpret how you will.
Potential Destination: Arsenal
Jackson Martinez [Porto]
Porto buys cheap and sells big officially. Unofficially, the club is a willing way station for third party owners from South America. See: Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez etc. After 92 goals in three seasons, it’s time for Porto to offload the 28-year-old Colombian striker for a paper profit. Proven goal-scorers are always in demand. He’s rumored to have some sort of release clause. Believe little of what you read about Jackson Martinez until it’s official.
Potential Destination: Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester United
Theo Walcott [Arsenal]
Theo Walcott is fast. He has neither developed nor made the slide over to center forward, since being brought to the 2006 World Cup as a 17-year-old. Multiple ill-timed injuries have not helped. He’s coming off a major one that scuttled his last two seasons. Walcott is a luxury, not an essential presence at Arsenal. With his contract expiring after next season, now would be the time to move him. He could be a makeweight in a Raheem Sterling deal.
Potential Destination: Liverpool
Names That Won’t Be Moving: Karim Benzema, Harry Kane
[Photos via Getty]