We're at a stage in the Premier League where we have a clearer idea of which teams could go down and which could stay in the Premier League for another season. David Moyes’ Sunderland seem to be stuck in a rut. It's a case of one step forward and two steps backwards.
Likewise, Aitor Karanka's Middlesbrough seemingly look like they could head back into the Championship. Despite showing promise early in the season, the North Yorkshire club are in dire need of victories should they continue to their story in England's top tier.
Sam Allardyce's Crystal Palace and Marco Silva's Hull City are the other clubs flirting with the danger zone despite finding a bit of form in recent weeks. So, here's looking at five of the best players from the aforementioned four clubs who could sign for a top-ten Premier League club in the summer:
#5 Jordan Pickford – Sunderland
23-year-old Jordan Pickford is one of the standout performers for Sunderland in this relegation-threatened season of theirs. The Black Cats have a stubborn record of not being the side that falls down into the Championship but it looks like even the talented English shot-stopper can't stop that from happening again this season.
Pickford is being scouted by Arsenal, Liverpool, and Everton every week. He has performed admirably for David Moyes’ side and has age on his side to ensure he becomes on the better young keepers to come out of the British isles in recent seasons.
Currently valued at €5 million by transfermarkt.com, the English international could command a fee almost double of that valuation even if his side fails to survive in the Premier League at the end of the current season.
Interested Clubs: Arsenal, Everton, and Liverpool
#4 Jermain Defoe – Sunderland
Barring Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, Sunderland's Jermain Defoe is the top-scoring English international in the race for this season's Golden Boot award, The 34-year-old continues to perform at an extremely high level despite being written out by a majority of the sides that have employed him in the past.
Defoe is an adept finisher inside the box and is arguably Sunderland's biggest asset despite his age. Currently eyed by the likes of Burnley, Swansea, and Watford, the English has proven that while his side may be in a dangerous play to go down, he isn't echoing it.
Valued at €6.5 million, the price-tag could stick in either situation: should the Black Cats go down or stay up.
Interested Clubs: Burnley, Swansea, and Watford
#3 Ryan Mason – Hull City
Whatever happened with 25-year-old Ryan Mason last month was horrifying and he'll soon recover and once he's back, should Hull City fall, will be a wanted man. He's been impressing Hull City fans with his performances from the centre of the field and his future is bright and in the Premier League.
Mason has scored two goals and has assisted twice for the Tigers this season and under Marco Silva looked to be the kind of player who could go on and cement a place in the first-team alongside Tom Huddlestone.
Quick on his feet, creative with the ball and having an urge to always drive forward, Mason will improve most Premier League teams with his drive and determination. If not for his skull fracture, he'd already be one of the most-talked about players during this second-half of the season.
Valued at €8.5 million, the English international could go for as high as €20 million should Hull survive.
Interested clubs: Swansea, Southampton, and West Ham United
#2 Adama Traore – Middlesbrough
Easily one of the most exciting young wingers in all of the Premier League, 21-year-old Adama Traore already has a host of Premier League clubs lining up to poach him away in the summer – including potential champions, Chelsea.
Traore has yet to score or assist for Aitor Karanka's side this season but his strength, drive, and pace on the ball are just mesmerising to watch. He has a really bright future, especially in the hands of a manager who knows how to use him to the best of his potential.
Currently valued at €8 million, the former Barcelona youth product could go for as high as €30 million and maybe even higher should Chelsea or Arsenal come in for him in the summer.
Interested clubs: Chelsea, Everton, and Tottenham Hotspur
#1 Wilfred Zaha – Crystal Palace
Once touted as a potential world-beater having joined Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United, it looked like the world was crumbling around Wilfred Zaha. A renaissance followed and now he's back doing what he does best – torment defences and score/create goals.
Zaha is still only 24 and has the best years of his career ahead of him. If he can fix a little inconsistency in his play, the Ivorian can go to fulfil the kind of promise a lot of managers saw in him years ago.
Everton and Tottenham are reportedly ready to pour in the money to sign him in the summer. He's quick, he passes the ball well and he scores the occasional screamer. Currently valued at €12 million, the 24-year-old can be sold for a fee as high as €35 million.
Interested clubs: Everton and Tottenham
