Arsenal

10 Transfers That ARE Going To Happen This Summer

The Champions League final closed the curtain on what has been an eventful season of football right across Europe. Once again, it was the dazzling dynamos from Barcelona that set the pace, capping it with the win at Wembley. The side has grown over man…

by
Football Friends
June 1, 2011

The he Champions League final closed the curtain on what has been an eventful season of football right across Europe. Once again, it was the dazzling dynamos from Barcelona that set the pace, capping it with the win at Wembley. The side has grown over many years into something beautiful. That wasn’t a football game – that was a work of art. Man Utd were left straggling, and ultimately, the only side that could beat Barcelona – couldn’t.

So as the players jet off for a week or two, where will they be next season? “Silly Season”, as it is known, has begun, and come midnight on September 1st, it could all be very different. So here’s a list of ten transfers that are looking on the cards in the Premier League.

David De Gea – Atlético Madrid to Manchester United

This has been an open secret in footballing circles for a while now. Edwin van der Sar waved bye-bye to the United faithful after seven successful years. United weren’t expected to move so quickly on the issue, much like they did when Schmeichel left. Maarten Stekelenburg was the favourite, but it is instead Spain’s hottest young keeper that is expected to warm the gloves next season. Quick on his feet and dynamic in the net, at just 21, he is already looking to go with Spain to Euro 2012. United have pulled off a coup here, many say. De Gea refuses to confirm anything, but who would turn down Manchester United?

Luka Modric – Tottenham Hotspur to Chelsea

In answer to my previous question – this is who. Luka Modric has had a happy time at Spurs, proving to be talismanic in their ascension to the dizzy heights of Europe’s top. However, players yearn glory, not the possibility of it. Spurs grabbed van der Vaart, and are even linked with Aguero. But after all these years, surely the time is right to leave? United need a midfielder with Scholes on his way out, as do Chelsea. A tidy sum of £25m should see the Croatian depart White Hart Lane, and finally prove to the rest of Europe why he’s regarded so highly. Reluctant to leave London, and aware of competition at Old Trafford, the blue side of London beckons.

Christopher Samba – Blackburn Rovers to Arsenal

Samba kept Blackburn up at the tailend of the season. His strength at the heart of the defence was incredible, as he was unafraid of any tackle, block or header (of which he bagged a few goals through). The 6 ft 4 giant did sign a contract extension in February, but with Blackburn in array, the chances of him moving to Arsenal have once again escalated. A more experienced and somewhat cheaper option than Mamadou Sakho, Samba would slot well into an Arsenal side which five years ago was “going to win everything in five years”. Replace the word everything with ‘nothing’. Squillaci and Koscielny proved against Birmingham why a new face is needed, and if anyone has to go, it will have to be the former Sevilla man Squillaci.

Gael Clichy – Arsenal to Inter Milan

Another pretty obvious departure from the Premier League, but very hard to predict where he’s going to end up. Real Madrid are also rumoured to be interested in him, but with Marcelo and Drenthe powering the left flank, it seems that Milan is calling for the left back. A quiet season, and the emergence of Kieran Gibbs, have combined to leave Wenger scratching his head – but not as much as the player in question. He was dubbed the ‘next Ashley Cole’, yet hasn’t delivered, and is another underperformer in the past five years for Arsenal. Hopefully Inter, desperately in need of another wing back to compliment Davide Santon’s obvious class, will provide Gael some solace.

Charlie Adam – Blackpool to Liverpool

Ah, now, how long did you think I could keep this one under wraps? This player is probably the sole reason Blackpool excelled this season (that, and Ian Holloway’s accent). His ability to orchestrate the game from the heart of midfield was incredible, even putting the Big Six to the sword at times. A special player can ping a ball 30-40 yards, and therefore, Charlie Adam is a special player. Had Blackpool stayed up, who knows? He may well have lead the charge a little longer. Instead, he has the pick of the top four clubs. Man Utd are thought to stand a chance, but, it’s about competition. Kenny Dalglish is clearing out the cobwebs at Liverpool, and even with Lucas, Raul Meireles and Stevie G to choose from, he’d love this Scottish Starlet to play a part.

Sebastian Larsson – Free Agent to Newcastle United

Birmingham, of all the sides to get relegated, are in the worst position. As great as the Channel 5 Cup is to the players, the Premier League is far more tempting to the squad, and therefore, Seb Larsson is just one of a handful of players who have rejected a new deal, and left the club. He is a popular player amongst the mid-table sides, and can be sure of Premier League football for 2011/12. Newcastle are a team in desperate need of versatility, so the Swede can give them a depth which they’ve been missing. Although a striker is needed, Sebastian will certainly want to be the man to restore Newcastle’s credibility as a top-flight team.

Leighton Baines – Everton to Manchester City

If Arsenal was a little boy, they’d be screaming “you stole my player!”, before bursting into tears. They are hinging their hopes of a new left back on Baines, but City seem to be leading the chase, due to their ‘slight’ monetary advantage. Baines is a player who Everton will try so very hard to hold on to, but every man has their price. £15m should be enough, but if Everton want twenty, City will oblige as they try to create the dream team their Sheik so desires. Pivotal from a dead ball, Baines will not have to move too far if at all to park his Bentley at Eastlands. A dead cert this one.

Scott Parker – West Ham United to Arsenal

It’s been a funny season where many relegated clubs have players moving to top four sides. Scott Parker was the reason West Ham did so well – no joke, they’d have been relegated by Christmas without him. The Football Writers’ Player of the Year is a real rock in midfield, pulling the strings, and plays the box-to-box role so very well. West Ham can be sure of a good amount for him, believed to be somewhere in the region of £12m, but losing their captain could have a domino effect on a club who, with the Olympic Stadium waiting, need to return to the Premier League soon. Arsenal need a player to allow Fabregas and Eboue more freedom going forward without worrying about defensive duties. Scott Parker fits the bill, and expect to see him in an Arsenal shirt soon.

Ben Foster – Birmingham City to Tottenham Hotspur

Relegated club yet again! Oh Benny boy… so much for “I’m the man to replace VDS.” Well, you moved a season too early. About the only English keeper without a major error to his name, Foster is another victim of the Birmingham Curse of False Hope. 9th place, League Cup, and Europa League have amounted to EPL relegation. Another man who can punch well above his weight, Foster knows that a return to Old Trafford is highly unlikely. However, Spurs know they need a new keeper. Gomes is always late to training, as he can’t even catch a bus. PSV will take advantage of his demise at Spurs, notably the goal-that-wasn’t against Chelsea (but he shouldn’t even had dropped it!), and Ben Foster will be his direct replacement. A safe pair of hands, and more wheeling and dealing from Mr Redknapp. Not even Chelsea could tempt him away at this moment in time…

Neymar – Santos to Chelsea

To finish, this is quite a fifty-fifty one. This kid has been given every nickname invented in the history of Brazilian football, but jokes aside, he is pure quality. Quicker than most over 20 yards, Neymar is hot property. Santos though are looking to hold him for ransom. Stuck thousands of miles away in Brazil, and perfectly happy also, Neymar knows it will be a massive bid that lures him away. Real Madrid are the leading Spanish favourites, as Benzema is shown the door, and something special is needed to end Barcelona’s dominance. Chelsea, though, seem more realistic. There would be far less pressure in London, and Abramovich has the financial benefits that Santos simply don’t. At only 19, it would be a massive gamble on all parts. However, Chelsea know that a dominant Manchester United and resurgent Liverpool means they MUST sign players to keep up. Torres and Neymar up front… is that the answer to the Champions League riddle?