7 transfer sagas we will see in the 2015 summer transfer window

Football is a sport with endless possibilities. Nothing can be said with extreme surety what twist the next day beholds. Luis Figo switching loyalties between Real Madrid and Barcelona, Ronaldo playing for Inter and AC Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid, Robin van Persie joining Manchester United from Arsenal. The list is endless.It hurts when it is your team’s player who joins a rival, but from a neutral’s perspective, it is absolutely enthralling to see. Here are 7 potential ‘top quality’ players who could be plying their trade somewhere else come next season.

#7 Mats Hummels

Amongst all the reasons for Dortmund’s rise to biggest stage of world football over the last few years, be it Mario Gotze, Marco Reus or even Robert Lewandowski, there’s one man who stands out of the crowd – Mats Hummels.

A proper no-nonsense centre back, and a leader by example, captain Mats Hummels signed for Borussia Dortmund from Bayern Munich initially on a loan deal, but then made it permanent and has ever since become a mainstay at the heart of the Dortmund defence. But owing to a sudden slump in their performances this season, coupled with the transfers of Gotze and Lewandowski, it looks like Hummels has made up his mind to search for a new club.

A slew of clubs are ready to pounce upon the centre back should he decide to leave BVB, with Manchester United leading the race. It is also said that the German promised Sir Alex Ferguson that if ever he left Dortmund, it would be for the Red Devils. This could be very good news for the club who have lacked the leadership and assurance at the back since the departures of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.

World Cup winner Hummels said: "I think moving abroad will be good for my professional and personal well-being. Eventually, I'd like to leave the Bundesliga.”

"I'm being open about this because I'm not a fan of those who claim they are staying but, behind the scenes, have actually secretly agreed a transfer away from their current club.”

"Everyone knows how much I love it at Dortmund, but I also want to make sure I'm part of a strong team with powerful players." continued Hummels, thus dropping the biggest hint yet.

An offer in the range of €35 million should be enough to convince BVB into letting him leave.

#6 Paulo Dybala

Currently plying his trade for Italian top-flight side Palermo FC, 21-year old Argentina striker Paulo Dybala has been subject the of enquiries by a host of Premier League sides and one Italian side, as his agent suggests. Blessed with immaculate dribbling skills, finishing, vision, and direct free kick taking ability, he signed for the Italian side in April 2012 for a fee in the region of €9 million.

Club president Maurizio Zamparini was quick to put the youngster on a pedestal and proclaimed, “We have got Paulo Dybala – the new Sergio Aguero.” Having already scored 11 goals this season, he is attracting a lot of attention from the big clubs and is almost certain to leave the club in the summer.

“Dybala is worth over €40m but I won't sell him until June. Many foreign clubs asked after him, including Manchester United.” the president revealed.

“I told the English side that he is not for sale right now, but we can talk about it again in six months. In my view, he is the best striker in Europe at the moment.” continued the president.

Although transfermarkt.com value him at €23 million, it’s highly unlikely that the club would let a player with such bright future leave for such a paltry sum.

#5 David De Gea

Having arrived from Atletico Madrid for £17.8 million – the British record fee for a goalkeeper – as an exciting prospect, Spanish shot-stopper David De Gea took over the reins from Edwin van der Sar between the sticks and has done a commendable job so far. With Iker Casillas not getting any younger by the day, Real Madrid have stepped up their search for a ‘top-class’ goalkeeper to replace their captain in the long-term.

No prizes for guessing who they have zeroed in on. Stunning shot-stopping skills, quick reflexes and supreme composure while 1-on-1 have grabbed the eyeballs of the Spanish giants. The 24-year-old goalkeeper could be the perfect buy for the Madrid club, and although repeatedly stating that he’d like to continue in Manchester, De Gea stalling over a new contract with the Red Devils is only adding to the worry of the club faithful.

De Gea would cost Los Blancos at least €25 million, but price shouldn’t be any hurdle in their quest for the goalkeeper. As history suggests money is never an issue for Real Madrid.

#4 Petr Cech

Arguably one of the finest goalkeepers to ever grace the Premier League, Cech enjoyed his time between the sticks for Chelsea by winning the Premier League 3 times, FA Cup 4 times, the Champions League, and the Europa League amongst the 14 honours he has won prior to the return of Thibaut Courtois from his loan spell at Atletico Madrid. The 22-year old Belgian had been in terrific form for Atletico for the three seasons he spent there, and that prompted Jose Mourinho to recall him and give him the No.1 status, at the expense of Cech.

Still only 32, the Czech definitely has quite a few good years ahead of him, provided he plays more regularly. Sharing the sentiments is the Blues’ owner, Roman Abramovich. Apparently, he is willing to let Cech join the club of his choice as a token of appreciation for his 11 years of unparalleled service for the club for €10 million and that has prompted the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool to show an interest him.

#3 Kevin De Bruyne

The 23-yr old Belgian has quickly become one of the hottest properties since signing for Bundesliga club Vfl Wolfsburg. He failed to make a mark in the Premier League with Chelsea which resulted in a subsequent transfer listing by manager Jose Mourinho. The German outfit grabbed the opportunity to add a genuine talent up their ranks, and the decision is proving to be a master-stroke.

He is pulling all the strings for the German side who sit just below Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga with 14 goals, 21 assists and 7 Man of the Match awards in 36 games. That has grabbed quite a few eyeballs within Germany and also in England, with interest coming from both Bayern Munich and Manchester City.

With Wolfsburg continually upgrading their squad with quality players like Bas Dost, Luis Gustavo, Andre Schurrle and Ricardo Rodriguez, it would be a mistake on De Bruyne’s part to look for greener pastures, after already having burnt his fingers with Chelsea.

His approximate market value is €35 million.

#2 Raheem Sterling

One of the hottest prospects in world football right now, Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling has all the ingredients to become a world-class attacker. Versatility, blistering pace, brilliant dribbling skills, and immaculate composure in front of goal are just some of the qualities this young man possesses.

And being only 20 means that he has more than enough time to sharpen his skills that would elevate him to the next level. Signed from QPR in 2010 as a 15-year old, the Jamaican-born Englishman has quickly come through the youth ranks and consolidated his position in the Reds’ first team.

But recently, the Englishman admitted to have turned down a new Liverpool contract with wages of a whopping £100K per week, and in an interview with the BBC clarified that wages offered were not an issue over the contract refusal and that he’s not a “money-grabbing boy” while going on to add that his long-term future may lie away from the Merseyside club.

This has enraged the Kop faithful and prompted the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Arsenal to believe that they can rescue the boy out of the English club. Also, with the new home-grown players rule set to kick in, there’s added pressure on clubs like Manchester City to try and prize the Englishman away from the Merseyside club.

According to transfermarkt.com, he is valued at €30 million, and with manager Brendan Rodgers in no hurry to sell him, the price could be inflated further.

#1 Paul Pogba

If there’s one thing that still haunts former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, it must be letting Paul Pogba leave on a free transfer. Deemed a surplus to requirements at the club, the 22-year old Frenchman decided to showcase his hidden potential via some other club. And the club ready to take the gamble were Italian giants Juventus. The rest is history.

Since arriving in Turin, the midfielder has consistently demonstrated his extraordinary technical skills in the centre of the park, and in no time has become one of the first names on the team-sheet. Long shots, dribbling, aerial duels, sublime vision and a great engine has earned him the reputation of being one of the finest young box-to-box midfielders of this era.

With Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG and even Manchester United lurking, it be hard for Juventus to hold onto Pogba, as Pavel Nedved, Juventus director himself admits, "We know that Barca and other big clubs want him, but Pogba has a contract with us," he said in an interview

According to transftermarkt.com, he is currently valued at €50 million, but the Bianconeri could ask for much more.