With the transfer window set to slam shut on Wednesday, there’s sure to be a lot of activity in the football world in the lead-up to the end of what has been an interesting period.
This summer brought about the transfer of stars such as Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gonzalo Higuain and N’Golo Kante. Several big names are still being courted all over Europe, and clubs will be signing players until it just isn’t possible anymore.
Transfer deadline day is as good as it gets for us fans with regards to transfers. Some of us can’t turn away from the TV or keep our phones in our pockets, frantically checking for the latest updates.
A few more stars are guaranteed to switch clubs on Wednesday. Let’s take a look at a possible five.
1) James Rodriguez
The Real Madrid attacker made waves in the market when it was reported that he could be available for around £60m.
Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has since said that the player is happy to stay and fight for his place, hailing a good recent performance off the bench from the Colombian. However, with the situation still the same as it relates to playing time, it is still believed that Rodriguez could make a late exit.
Chelsea and Arsenal are thought to be at the forefront on this one, but given Arsenal’s signing of Lucas Perez, as well as the imminent recruitment of Shkodran Mustafi, it’s quite hard to imagine them forking up another £60m to land Rodriguez.
It is very likely that Rodriguez stays put, but we still can’t rule out a deadline day move for this player.
2) Cesc Fabregas
Reports on the weekend suggested that Cesc Fabregas would be shown the exit after being told that he should find a new club by Antonio Conte, but the Spaniard retorted with a strongly-worded statement via Twitter and Instagram.
Fabregas said that there was no truth to the story, insisting that he would continue to fight for the club, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that the midfielder isn’t first-choice for Conte.
He hasn’t started a Premier League game under the Italian, only coming on as a 78th-minute substitute in the Blues’ second game of the season against Watford.Despite providing the crucial assist for Diego Costa’s winner, he wasn’t handed a single minute in the following match vs Burnley.
Fabregas could stick around and work hard to get back in the team, yet he’s not getting any younger, and if Chelsea get a good offer in the next few hours, he could be as good as gone.
3) Marcelo Brozovic
This Inter Milan midfielder is rumoured to be on his way to Chelsea but there hasn’t been an official confirmation of a bid just yet, although the acceptance of one has been reported by widespread sources.
With the Serie A club signing Joao Mario recently, it’s easy to see why a move could be on the cards for the talented Croatian. As mentioned before, Cesc Fabregas could be leaving Stamford Bridge as well, a move which would free up some space for Brozovic.
It’s hard to see, immediately, where he would fit in at Chelsea, though. Antonio Conte’s midfield is very functional with Oscar, Nemanja Matic and Kante operating in the middle, but the Serbian seems the most likely to lose his spot if the Blues sign a new attacker and stick to the formation.
Of the five players in this list, Brozovic seems the most likely to trade teams, given Inter’s willingness to comply with FFP, as well as Conte’s interest.
4) Jack Wilshere
After an injury-ravaged few campaigns at Arsenal, it seems that Jack Wilshere’s time is finally up at the Emirates – well at least for one season.
A loan move is on the cards for the England international, and Serie A champions Juventus are thought to be lurking, as well as AS Roma, Crystal Palace and Besiktas.
Wilshere remains a talent, but with Arsenal signing Granit Xhaka this summer, having signed Mohamed Elneny in January, perhaps leaving on loan is the best way for him to find both form and fitness.If he does move and can get a full season of action under his belt at another club, the Gunners will have a dangerous player at their disposal next term.
But that is a big if given his injury ridden past. Fans will hope Wilshere can fanilly break his curse and fulfill the promise he once showed as a 16-year-old.
5) Wilfried Bony
The Ivory Coast striker has no future at Manchester City; that much is clear. With Pep Guardiola taking over from Manuel Pellegrini in the summer, it didn’t take long for Bony to realise that he was surplus to requirements.
Stoke City are believed to have launched a bid with the aim of signing the player on loan, but City are demanding a £2m loan fee, and the two clubs are yet to agree over wage issues.
Bony earns £110,000 a week at City, and the Potters would need them to keep paying a huge portion of that amount for the deal to work out. Everton are also interested in signing Bony, and L’Equipe are claiming that an offer of £20m has been made.With all of this going on, Bony leaving City this week is very likely.
