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The 2019/20 EPL (English Premier League) season was unlike any other primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was still as entertaining as any other. Liverpool won their first Premier League title after a 30-year wait, but with the 3-month mid-season break, teams and players don't have time to sit back and relax as they usually would.
With the 2020/21 EPL season set to start on 12th September, which is only 44 days away, players and teams will have to get back to work right away. That means it's just a short break for the players to catch their breath and then it's back to the drawing board and back to training because things are only going to get more difficult next season.
As is the case in every EPL season, player transfers are of paramount importance to all clubs. Buying players to strengthen their roster will be a key priority for every team. But given the financial strain the COVID-19 pandemic has caused, many EPL clubs might be forced to sell a few players, in some cases may be their best player, to raise funds to bolster their squads.
On that note, here is a look at five players in the EPL who could secure a big money move this summer.
Five EPL players likely to make a big money move in the summer:
#1: Wilfried Zaha
Great things were expected from Wilfried Zaha when he moved to Manchester United in 2013, but things never really worked out for him and the winger ended up at Crystal Palace.
It has been six long years since then, and Zaha has turned 27 now after failing to secure a move to Arsenal last summer. He has made it clear that he wants to leave the London-based club this summer.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson confirmed the same after the last EPL game of the season as it appears to be the logical next step in Zaha's career.
Since moving back to Palace, Zaha has been their star performer every season. His raw pace, dribbling prowess and ability to draw defenders makes him a constant threat to opposition teams in the EPL. In this period, Zaha has contributed 39 goals and 42 assists, and at 27, things are not likely to get better for him at Crystal Palace.
Zaha is at the peak of his career. If he wants to move on to bigger and better clubs and more importantly win trophies, he needs to leave Palace. Given his talent, there will be a plethora of teams willing to pay big money for him.
#2: Raul Jimenez
Raul Jimenez has been an excellent signing for Wolverhampton Wanderers since they returned to the EPL; the Mexican has been worth every penny of the club-record £30 million Wolves spent on him.
In his first season at the club, Jimenez scored 17 goals and went way beyond that mark this season with 26 goals so far to attract the interest of several top clubs. Overall, the Mexican striker has scored 43 goals and assisted 18 in 97 appearances. He could very well go on to achieve bigger and better things should a bigger EPL team come for him.
Wolves are going to demand a huge transfer fee for Jimenez, no doubt, Recent reports seem to suggest that Wolves have agreed a £27million deal to sign Sporting de Braga striker Paulinho; in that case, Jimenez could very well be on his way out.
The striker is 29 and has may be just a few more years at the top. If he wants to win some trophies, he needs to make a move this summer.
#3: Declan Rice
Ever since breaking into the West Ham United first team in the 2017/18 season, Declan Rice has just gotten better and better with each passing season. He has become one of the most sought after defensive midfielders in the EPL.
Since cementing himself in the West Ham first-team, Rice's stock has been on the rise. The midfielder won the West Ham United Player of the year this season as well as the West Ham United Young player of the year in 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons. He also went on to win the London Football Awards Young Player of the Year in 2019.
At 21, Rice is still learning the trade of the game but has already gone on to make over 100 appearances for West Ham United. But if he is to improve his game, get better as a footballer and reach the heights everyone expects off him, Rice needs to leave this summer.
Let us be honest, being with West Ham is going to see Rice finish mid-table or fight a relegation battle; while he might go on to become a legend of the club, he'll want a lot more than that.
The Hammers are going to demand a huge transfer fee primarily because Rice is English, but given his quality and how much better he can get, he will be worth every penny.
#4: Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish has been nothing short of outstanding for Aston Villa on their return to the EPL. To be honest, if it was not for his goals and assists contributions ,they would very well have been back in the Championship next season.
The Villa captain recorded the most goals, assists and shots for the Villans this season; for an attacking midfielder to boast these numbers, it shows the sort of impact he can have on a team. His departure would have been set in stone had Aston Villa gotten relegated, but things are a lot more complicated now.
Dean Smith will want his best player to stay, but let us be honest: if Grealish remains at Villa Park, he will never fulfill his potential. With Villa staying up and the fact that Grealish is English, top EPL clubs may have to pay a rumoured £80 million for him; very few clubs will be able to afford him in this market.
At 24, Grealish is at the right age to move to a top club where he can continue to develop, get better and, more importantly, compete for trophies.
#5: Allan Saint-Maximin
Allan Saint-Maximin leaving Newcastle United seems a bit far fetched given that the Frenchman joined them only last summer after arriving on a 6-year deal.
However, after putting in such an impressive performance in his debut season in the EPL, a lot of clubs have shown an interest in securing his services.
In 30 appearances this season, Saint-Maximin managed to score four goals and assist seven as he was one of Newcastle's more consistent players this season. The winger has adapted to the EPL with ease; his raw pace, dribbling, passing and the fact that he gets fouled often proves just how good he is.
Newcastle paid around £20 million to secure Saint-Maximin's services. While they will certainly not want to lose one of their best players, they might not have a choice. With the pandemic messing up the financial situation of every EPL club and with Newcastle's takeover collapsing, they might have to sell the player to raise money to fund their transfer activities.
No matter what, Saint-Maximin has proved he has what it takes to play at the top level. If he wants to leave or if Newcastle has to sell him, he will have no dearth of suitors for sure.
