The Torino defender looks to have become the big fish in the small pond with Torino this season. He would suit the Premier League’s style perfectly as he has a perfect mixture of stamina and power when venturing forward.
The Italian wing-back starred at the World Cup last year, tormenting Leighton Baines down England’s left in their group game, and in the intervening time his stock has grown higher. Bids of about €25 million should be enough to bring Torino to the negotiating table.
Darmian made the most tackles per game (5.3) in Europe’s top five leagues in the 12/13 season, highlighting his defensive nous.
Who needs him? There is a shortage of decent right backs around at the moment. Liverpool are in need, Manchester United need an upgrade on Antonio Valencia, while he would also be a good addition to Spurs.
All indicators point to a move to Real Madrid who seem to have forgotten about the excellent Dani Carvajal already being on their books.
Asier Illarramendi, 25, Real Madrid
Illarramendi is too good for warming the Real Madrid bench. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Following a stunning season with Real Sociedad in 12/13, Real snapped up Illarramendi for a cool €32 million. Seen as the heir to Xabi Alonso’s throne, things have not gone too well. He surely would have liked to have been capped for Spain by now but he has been limited to a bit-part role under Carlo Ancelotti.
Playing as a deep-lying midfielder, Illarramendi has a cultured passing style reminiscent of Barcelona’s Xavi. The arrival of Lucas Silva to Madrid seems to have spelled the end of his tenure with Los Blancos.
Who needs him? Liverpool have been linked but he may opt for Champions League football next season. A move to Valencia would make sense and Sevilla, who may well play in next season’s Champions League, would also be a good option. He has four years left on his contract however, so Valencia and Sevilla may need to acquire him on loan.
Fabian Schar, 23, FC Basel
Schar has impressed for both Switzerland and Basel. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Schar is the epitome of the modern day centre-back and at just 23-years-old he has all the attributes to establish himself as one of the world’s finest. Strong in the air and blessed with the ball-playing skills of a central midfielder he would be an ideal acquisition for most clubs.
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His contract expires in the summer so he will be free to go wherever he likes.
Who needs him? Southampton have been linked strongly but he should be aiming for a Champions League club. The rumoured departure of Mats Hummels from Borussia Dortmund may see him arrive in Germany but their lack of Champions League football next season is a negative for potential recruits.
At 23, Firmino is likely to move on to a bigger club in a search for silverware. He has been linked with practically every major club in Europe and he won’t come cheap at €25 million.
His fee has inflated in the past year thanks to making his Brazil debut, but if he beds in well at a new club, he may well become one of Europe’s premier attacking midfielders.
Who needs him? English sides could be put off by the tendency of Brazilians to flop in the Premier League following big money transfers, plus all of them apart from Manchester City are pretty well stocked in the attacking midfielder department.
A move to Wolfsburg could be on the cards should Kevin De Bruyne move on as expected.
Jordy Clasie, 23, Feyenoord
Clasie has been compared to Xavi and Andrea Pirlo. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
It’s surprising to see Clasie still at Feyenoord considering the strong World Cup he had last year. Labels such as the ‘Dutch Xavi’ have been thrown about but Clasie will probably never be THAT good.
He is a diminutive passing midfielder who would probably need a hard-tackling defensive midfielder alongside him were he to come to England. A price tag anywhere from €10-15 million makes him an attractive purchase.
Who needs him? A reunion with former manager Ronald Koeman is on the cards should Morgan Schneiderlin up sticks. He would also suit a side like Spurs if they could push Paulinho and Benjamin Stambouli out the exit door.
Andre Ayew, 25, Marseille
Ayew would be a superb signing for any club outside the top four. AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Ayew’s movements could be an interesting saga this summer. He is out of contract at Marseille and has already stated his intention to leave after 10 years with the club, citing England as his preferred destination.
He’s had a solid season with OM, scoring 11 goals in 27 games and could prove a shrewd signing for any club outside of the top four.
Who needs him? Liverpool aren’t able to attract the big money signings at the moment so a deal for Ayew seems a must. Spurs also need wide players while Swansea have been strongly linked in the past.
He may well be one of the hottest properties in European football this season, but he won’t come cheap. Blessed with electric pace and fantastic dribbling skills Anderson is the typical Brazilian forward. Eleven goals and seven assists is a decent return from 30 games this season but the €50 million price tag makes him a huge risk for English clubs.
Who needs him? The Metro seems to think that Manchester United will make a £40 million bid but their transfer rumours are usually plucked from thin air.
It’s hard to see any club willing to pay that sort of fee for a relatively unproven Brazilian. Maybe PSG would — they did throw £50 million at Chelsea for David Luiz after all.
Hector Moreno, 27, Espanyol
Moreno has bounced back from injury well. Themba Hadebe
Themba Hadebe
Moreno’s strong performances over the past year for both Espanyol and Mexico have led to speculation about a move away from the Catalan club. He missed six months after breaking his leg at the World Cup but has came back impressively.
His leadership skills allied with his battling qualities make him the type of player that sets an example for others to follow.
Who needs him? Arsenal have supposedly made a bid but the papers seem to have forgotten they already have one obscure Spanish speaking centre-back at the club in Gabriel Paulista. Swansea and Southampton should be looking at him but he may chose to stay in Spain.
Should Atletico Madrid lose either Miranda or Diego Godín, he would be an affordable replacement.
8 summer transfers that will have the football hipsters smacking their lips
Matteo Darmian, 25, Torino
The Torino defender looks to have become the big fish in the small pond with Torino this season. He would suit the Premier League’s style perfectly as he has a perfect mixture of stamina and power when venturing forward.
The Italian wing-back starred at the World Cup last year, tormenting Leighton Baines down England’s left in their group game, and in the intervening time his stock has grown higher. Bids of about €25 million should be enough to bring Torino to the negotiating table.
Darmian made the most tackles per game (5.3) in Europe’s top five leagues in the 12/13 season, highlighting his defensive nous.
Who needs him? There is a shortage of decent right backs around at the moment. Liverpool are in need, Manchester United need an upgrade on Antonio Valencia, while he would also be a good addition to Spurs.
All indicators point to a move to Real Madrid who seem to have forgotten about the excellent Dani Carvajal already being on their books.
Asier Illarramendi, 25, Real Madrid
Following a stunning season with Real Sociedad in 12/13, Real snapped up Illarramendi for a cool €32 million. Seen as the heir to Xabi Alonso’s throne, things have not gone too well. He surely would have liked to have been capped for Spain by now but he has been limited to a bit-part role under Carlo Ancelotti.
Playing as a deep-lying midfielder, Illarramendi has a cultured passing style reminiscent of Barcelona’s Xavi. The arrival of Lucas Silva to Madrid seems to have spelled the end of his tenure with Los Blancos.
Who needs him? Liverpool have been linked but he may opt for Champions League football next season. A move to Valencia would make sense and Sevilla, who may well play in next season’s Champions League, would also be a good option. He has four years left on his contract however, so Valencia and Sevilla may need to acquire him on loan.
Fabian Schar, 23, FC Basel
Schar is the epitome of the modern day centre-back and at just 23-years-old he has all the attributes to establish himself as one of the world’s finest. Strong in the air and blessed with the ball-playing skills of a central midfielder he would be an ideal acquisition for most clubs.
His contract expires in the summer so he will be free to go wherever he likes.
Who needs him? Southampton have been linked strongly but he should be aiming for a Champions League club. The rumoured departure of Mats Hummels from Borussia Dortmund may see him arrive in Germany but their lack of Champions League football next season is a negative for potential recruits.
A cheap addition to Manchester City perhaps?
Roberto Firmino, 23, Hoffenheim
At 23, Firmino is likely to move on to a bigger club in a search for silverware. He has been linked with practically every major club in Europe and he won’t come cheap at €25 million.
His fee has inflated in the past year thanks to making his Brazil debut, but if he beds in well at a new club, he may well become one of Europe’s premier attacking midfielders.
Who needs him? English sides could be put off by the tendency of Brazilians to flop in the Premier League following big money transfers, plus all of them apart from Manchester City are pretty well stocked in the attacking midfielder department.
A move to Wolfsburg could be on the cards should Kevin De Bruyne move on as expected.
Jordy Clasie, 23, Feyenoord
It’s surprising to see Clasie still at Feyenoord considering the strong World Cup he had last year. Labels such as the ‘Dutch Xavi’ have been thrown about but Clasie will probably never be THAT good.
He is a diminutive passing midfielder who would probably need a hard-tackling defensive midfielder alongside him were he to come to England. A price tag anywhere from €10-15 million makes him an attractive purchase.
Who needs him? A reunion with former manager Ronald Koeman is on the cards should Morgan Schneiderlin up sticks. He would also suit a side like Spurs if they could push Paulinho and Benjamin Stambouli out the exit door.
Andre Ayew, 25, Marseille
Ayew’s movements could be an interesting saga this summer. He is out of contract at Marseille and has already stated his intention to leave after 10 years with the club, citing England as his preferred destination.
He’s had a solid season with OM, scoring 11 goals in 27 games and could prove a shrewd signing for any club outside of the top four.
Who needs him? Liverpool aren’t able to attract the big money signings at the moment so a deal for Ayew seems a must. Spurs also need wide players while Swansea have been strongly linked in the past.
Felipe Anderson, 22, Lazio
He may well be one of the hottest properties in European football this season, but he won’t come cheap. Blessed with electric pace and fantastic dribbling skills Anderson is the typical Brazilian forward. Eleven goals and seven assists is a decent return from 30 games this season but the €50 million price tag makes him a huge risk for English clubs.
Who needs him? The Metro seems to think that Manchester United will make a £40 million bid but their transfer rumours are usually plucked from thin air.
It’s hard to see any club willing to pay that sort of fee for a relatively unproven Brazilian. Maybe PSG would — they did throw £50 million at Chelsea for David Luiz after all.
Hector Moreno, 27, Espanyol
Moreno’s strong performances over the past year for both Espanyol and Mexico have led to speculation about a move away from the Catalan club. He missed six months after breaking his leg at the World Cup but has came back impressively.
His leadership skills allied with his battling qualities make him the type of player that sets an example for others to follow.
Who needs him? Arsenal have supposedly made a bid but the papers seem to have forgotten they already have one obscure Spanish speaking centre-back at the club in Gabriel Paulista. Swansea and Southampton should be looking at him but he may chose to stay in Spain.
Should Atletico Madrid lose either Miranda or Diego Godín, he would be an affordable replacement.
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