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Over the past few seasons, a handful of teams have punched above their weight across Europe's top five leagues. The likes of Atalanta and RB Leipzig made their presence felt in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League in the 2019-20 season, while Leicester City have rubbed shoulders with the Premier League's big boys after the appointment of Brendan Rodgers.
Sometimes, it so happens that teams fizzle out after having a season or two at the top, due to which certain players grow disgruntled with lives at their current clubs. Leicester City's historic title win in the 2015-16 season is a classic example, as the Foxes nearly got relegated in the season that followed.
Due to the dramatic nature of their turnaround, the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Danny Drinkwater secured big-money moves to Manchester City and Chelsea respectively, while N'Golo Kante also sealed a transfer to the Blues immediately after inspiring his side to the title.
Similarly, there are a handful of players in world football who are seemingly too good for their current clubs. Here are five such players who could secure moves to the so-called big teams this summer.
#5 Domenico Berardi | Sassuolo
It's hard to imagine that a player of Domenico Berardi's quality has spent virtually his entire career at Sassuolo, with all due respect to the Serie A side. The gifted winger is a household name in Italy and has delivered consistent displays for his side over the years.
The 26-year-old is an Italy international and has scored a respectable four goals in 10 caps for his country. For Sassuolo, though, he is the star attraction at the club and has recorded 11 goals and five assists in all competitions.
Berardi has cited Inter Milan icon Diego Milito as his idol in the past and been linked with a switch to the Nerazzurri. Only time will tell if he finally moves on to greener pastures this summer.
#4 Rodrigo de Paul | Udinese
Another Serie A star who has turned heads with his performances in recent years, Rodrigo de Paul's importance to Udinese can't be overstated. The energetic midfielder is blessed with technical ability in abundance and also has the work rate to make himself a dominating presence in the center of the park.
De Paul's all-action ability has also made him a key player for the national team in the past two years and has recorded 21 caps for Argentina since making his debut in 2018.
The 26-year-old reportedly came close to securing a move to Leeds United last summer, but the transfer ultimately failed to materialize. Liverpool have also been linked with the Argentine and it remains to be seen if the Reds make a move for him in the coming months.
#3 Declan Rice | West Ham United
Declan Rice has developed into a tidy player for West Ham United and England, with the former Chelsea midfielder currently hailed as one of the most reliable players in the Premier League. The 22-year-old is a defensive midfielder by trade but is also capable of deputizing as a center back, making him a fantastic transfer option for many teams across the continent.
Rice was linked with a big-money move to Chelsea last summer, with former Blues boss Frank Lampard reportedly a huge fan of the player. However, West Ham stood firm on their £80 million valuation of the player, due to which Chelsea opted against making a move for him.
This summer, however, Rice could well be on the move. He has enjoyed another excellent season with West Ham and looks set to play a key role for England at the European Championships. If the 22-year-old carries on performing like this, he will be sure to move on to greener pastures in the next 12 months or so.
#2 Jack Grealish | Aston Villa
Another Englishman who has made a massive impression in the past two seasons, Jack Grealish is undoubtedly the talisman of Dean Smith's Aston Villa side. The enigmatic midfielder is one of the most naturally gifted footballers in the Premier League and is capable of scoring goals as well as creating them, while he is also amongst the best dribblers in the world.
Grealish has been deployed as a left-sided attacker at times and has excelled in the role, proving that he's versatile enough to produce the goods in two different positions. The Englishman has finally matured into a top-class player and is also in contention to be named in Gareth Southgate's squad for the European Championships later this year.
Manchester United have been heavily linked with a move for Grealish and it remains to be seen if the Red Devils intensify their interest in him this summer. With Paul Pogba's future hanging in the balance, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could turn to the Aston Villa captain to replace the Frenchman.
#1 Harry Kane | Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Kane is undoubtedly one of the best strikers in world football and has carried on scoring goals at a ridiculous rate this season. The England captain is the focal point of Jose Mourinho's Tottenham Hotspur side and has wreaked havoc on opposition defenders on several occasions this season alongside his partner in crime Son Heung-Min.
While Kane is one of the most feared attackers on the planet, the fact of the matter remains that he is 27 years old and is yet to win a trophy as a professional footballer. Spurs are no closer to competing for major honors and with Mourinho's future under immense scrutiny, Kane could well be on the move this summer.
Reports have suggested that Manchester City could turn to the England captain if they fail to secure a move for Erling Haaland this summer. While the prospect of winning trophies and playing under Pep Guardiola could appeal to him, it remains to be seen if he agrees to move to another Premier League club after spending virtually his entire career with Spurs.
