It’s the start of March, so what better time to start the countdown to the transfer window reopening in June!

Ok so it’s a wee bit early but lets face it the media always spout these rumours and get plenty of hits for some amount of made up rubbish.

So with that in mind I’ve decided to look at five players who may well make huge moves in 2015 or at least attract the greatest amount of attention this summer.

PAUL POGBA:

How different Manchester United’s midfield would be if they had kept Paul Pogba at Old Trafford but alas the French midfielder was the one that Sir Alex Ferguson let slip through his fingers.

The twenty-one year old joined Juventus in 2012 and hasn’t looked back since. The dynamic midfielder is a great all rounder who can work back, add skill to the play and get goals too.

His impressive performances for Juve and Les Bleus has made teams such as Real Madrid, Arsenal and Chelsea take notice.

Former side Man Utd have also been linked but you’d think that they’ve burned a few bridges by not playing Pogba enough in the first place. Barcelona have also been heavily linked but I’m pretty sure their transfer ban would make that an impossible move this summer (although that doesn’t seem to stop Barca talking to players/agents).

According to certain reports, Pogba has already agreed terms with PSG. But I doubt he’s made any decision on his future at this stage. (Plus would this not mean that he’s been tapped up? Everyone turns a blind eye)

I don’t see any need to rush into a move, as Pogba is still developing in Turin and only recently signed a new £70k deal with the Italian giants that doesn’t end until 2019.

But don’t underestimate his greedy agent Mino Raiola, who always seems to get his way and can disrupt any club. Obviously any move would see Mino line his pockets.

I’d imagine that the ‘Old Lady’ could demand a fee in the region of £70m for the midfield dynamo.

I think the player should stay with his current employers for at least another season beyond this one. He is settled in this Juve team and winning trophies. That way he goes into Euro 2016 with hosts France in a good way, a move can unsettle any player!

MATS HUMMELS:

Manchester United are certainly a team that could be ready to go all out in the summer and buy a world-class centre half, with German World Cup winner Mats Hummels an ideal target.

Now in his eighth season with Borussia Dortmund it could be time for a change for their captain especially with the club under-performing for much of this term. It looks to be extremely difficult for BVB to reach next campaign’s Champions League and that could have a bearing in what Hummels does next.

At twenty-six the defender is of a great age to make the most of any opportunity that may come his way.

United need a leader on the pitch and Hummels would certainly give them that. The tackler is also good with his distribution from that back and that will be another plus in the eyes of Utd boss Louis van Gaal. Arsenal’s signing of Gabriel may have ended the Gunners interest in the German international.

Would take a bid north of £30m to get Dortmund to agree in letting their inspirational star go, I’d imagine.

ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE: 

The young-ish (is twenty-three young for a footballer these days?) Lyon forward had a good season in 2013-14 but has really come of age this term.

With twenty-one goals in twenty-three Ligue 1 appearances, he has been extremely instrumental in getting ‘Les Gones’ challenging for the league title this year. His goal tally is the best in France, five ahead of his nearest rival Marseille’s André-Pierre Gignac.

Like French hero Thierry Henry, Lacazette spent a few formative years out-wide but has exploded since starting through the middle.

Has more often than not found himself in the right positions this year and has put away the bulk of his chances too. Not scared of having a go from outside the area, taking the ball for a dribble and also very good with his link up play.

Could interest both Manchester clubs if United pass on Radamel Falcao and City sell Stevan Jovetic. Liverpool have been heavily linked and he’d certainly improve the Anfield sides title chances next term. PSG may also take an interest as he’s French and that would help their homegrown quotas for UEFA competitions.

Won’t come cheap though as Monsieur Jean-Michel Aulas (Olympic Lyonnais owner) will only sell at a premium price, like he has done previously with Karim Benzema, Michael Essien and Florent Malouda in the past. I’d be very surprised if Aulas entertained any bid below the €35m-€40m it took to prise Benzema away from the Stade de Gerland.

Like Pogba, I’d like to see Lacazette stay on with his current employer for one more season.

DAVID DE GEA:

The Spanish goalkeeper has grown leaps and bounds since his debut season at Manchester United. Now one of the top keepers in the world, usually Man Utd would have this player tied down to a huge long lucrative contract.

But there is only one year left on the twenty-four year olds contract and a major club hovering over the goalie waiting to pounce. That club is Real Madrid and the La Liga giants usually get their man.

The tall De Gea is formidable in between the sticks and uses his stature to intimidate opposing forwards. The Spaniard is comfortable with the ball at his feet and has improved when dominating his area.

United’s boss Louis van Gaal has been highly impressed with his number one this season and recently stated… “David De Gea, this year, is unbelievable,”. 

His performances have earned him international recognition and as each day passes without news of a new deal at Old Trafford then a move to the Bernabeu seems to be beckoning. Could be the player that finally takes-over from legend Iker Casillas both internationally and at club level.

The summer could be an interesting time for David as he weighs up his options. Will he join the likes of David Beckham, Gabriel Heinze and Cristiano Ronaldo and leave the ‘Red Devils’ for ‘Los Merengues’?

If he does, what would his market value be? In normal circumstances he’d worry Gianluigi Buffon’s world record £32.6m fee but he will only have twelve months left to run on his current contract.

PAULO DYBALA:

Dybala is a young Argentine who can dribble, pass and score. Sounds familiar doesn’t it?

The pacey striker’s play is more reminiscent to Sergio Aguero than Lionel Messi but hey that isn’t too bad, is it?

The left-footed forward is a smart finisher who has a ratio of one in every two games in Serie A this term (12 goals in 24 matches). The twenty-one year old from the Cordoba Province also has seven assists to his name this season.

Palermo’s eccentric owner Maurizio Zamperini has been full of praise when talking about his prize asset. Once telling the Italian media…

“He [Dybala] is the best striker in Serie A. Within two years, he’s going to be better than Cristiano Ronaldo, [Lionel] Messi and [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic”

But if reports are to be believed then Zamperini is keen to cash in this summer with a bid of €40m being mooted. But will clubs pay that with his contract running down at Stadio Renzo Barbera? Rosanero may accept bids closer to £2om.

Chelsea have been mentioned in connection with U.S. Citta di Palermo’s numero nove as have Liverpool and Arsenal. Once upon a time PSG splashed out big on Palermo’s Javier Pastore, and the Qatari owners do like the Italian market.

Dybala has reportedly said he’d swim to complete a move to FC Barcelona, but again that could be scuppered due to the Catalan giants 2015 transfer ban.

But maybe Dybala would be best served staying in Italy and joining Juventus and gain vital Champions League experience with La Vecchia Signora.

Posted on March 8th, 2015 by scott
Filed under: Article