With the end of this season nearing, managers and clubs are already in the process of deciding their summer targets, and some may have already made that decision. The total money spent each summer keeps increasing every year. This summer transfer window could see some sensational moves as clubs around Europe gear up to spend even more on their targets.
The English Premier League has always had a majority share in the transfer business, both in and out. A whopping £1.1b was spent by Premier League clubs in the summer of 2016, and is not only the top clubs spending massive amounts of money in England anymore. Even the smaller ones have a lot of cash thanks to the enhanced TV rights payment they receive, allowing them to make some of the smartest transfers within an extended budget.
Every summer transfer window seems to get more exciting than the previous one and the Premier League is still Europe’s top most destination for most players.
Here is the list of the top five EPL transfers rumoured to happen when the transfer window opens for business this time around.
#1 Wayne Rooney to Everton
Many believed after Jose Mourinho’s appointment as Manchester United manager that the England’s golden boy would shine again under him. Instead, this season has been a disappointing one for the Manchester United captain and the club’s all-time highest goalscorer.
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Having made only nine starts so far in the Premier League, a move away from the Theatre of Dreams seems like the only option. Everton, his boyhood club, are said to be interested in landing their former talismanic striker. The Toffees, however, face competition from West Ham and clubs from the Chinese Super League.
It would interesting to see if Manchester United and, more importantly, Mourinho let their record top scorer and club captain leave. The major issue with any club who would be interested in his services is his astronomical wages; a wage-cut seems highly likely for Rooney this summer.
#2 Gianluigi Donnarumma to Manchester City
The young Italian keeper has quickly become one of the league’s, if not the world’s, most sought-after goalkeepers. Talented, and with age on his side, Donnarumma is sure to attract a lot of bids from the big clubs, and Manchester City are rumoured to be one of the clubs interested in the Italian teenager
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Claudio Bravo hardly seems like the keeper manager Pep Guardiola bought. The Citizens will look to get a long term solution for their problems, and according to reports, it will cost them a whopping £120m to land the Italian shot stopper. And with added bonuses it could increase it to a massive £150m, making it the highest transfer paid for any player, but it is an amount of money the Citizens would have no problem in shelling out.
It would be interesting to see if an upcoming Italian talent like Donnarumma decides to shift to the EPL at such an early age. Pep Guardiola could just be the right mentor for him to take his game to the next level.
#3 Arda Turan to Arsenal
With the futures of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Özil in doubt, Arsenal are looking to bolster their midfield by signing Arda Turan from Barcelona in the summer. They will reportedly bid around the £25m mark to secure the signing of the Turkish international from the Catalan giants.
His agent, however, has refused any such contact and expressed that his client is happy at Camp Nou. Since his arrival at Barcelona, Turan has had a mixed-bag, but is an exceptional talent nonetheless.
If Arsène Wenger is still at the helm of Arsenal next season, and if two of his best attacking player decide to hunt for greener pastures, the Turkish international is one among a few in the world who fits the bill perfectly for Wenger’s style of football. Barcelona would like to put up a fight for Turan but may let him go provided Arsenal do pay the amount the Catalans may be looking for.
#4 Kingsley Coman to Manchester City/Chelsea
One of the world’s most pacey wingers right now, the young French international is being targeted by Chelsea and Manchester City. The 20-year-old is nearing the end of his two-year loan spell from Juventus. Both Premier League clubs have launched a bid around £40m, according to sources.
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However, it is reported that Coman wants to make his loan move to Munich a permanent one at the end of the season, making the move a bust for both the English clubs.
Without a doubt one the most coveted young players in football at this moment, Coman could light up the Premier League and be an exceptional signing for both Manchester City and Chelsea.
#5 Marco Verratti to Manchester United/Chelsea
Having put in a scintillating performance against Barcelona in the first leg of the Round of 16 Champions League match, the Italian midfielder is now the target of several top clubs in Europe. His agent has further speculated a move away from the French club, stating that the Italian wants to win trophies and his next destination would be a top European club.
Manchester United and Chelsea are both reportedly seeking the signature of Verratti this summer. PSG are however adamant about making the Italian stay at the Parc des Princes. There is an increasing interest from Spanish giants Barcelona, as well, as the Catalans look to bolster their squad.
His agent confirmed that a move would be made based on the success of the club rather than a monetary compensation being paid.
