We are on the cusp of probably the most lucrative, high-profile and dramatic transfer window of all time, so Goal.com's Carlo Garganese weighs up which world class stars will be smashing transfer records this summer.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Inter-Lazio - Serie A (Grazia Neri)
Possible Destination: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United
The Super Swede, who was top scorer in Italy last season, has gone public with his desire to leave Serie A and try out a new experience abroad. Ibrahimovic is desperate to win the Champions League, and some sections of the press believe that a deal has already been done for him to join Barcelona, although Real Madrid and Man Utd are also in the reckoning.
Douglas Maicon (Inter)
Possible Destination: Real Madrid
Maicon and his agent have both told the press this week that they are unhappy about the Brazilian being under-appreciated by the Nerazzurri. Real Madrid are known admirers of the star, who is arguably the best right-back in the world, and there has been much talk of a €40 million bid, possibly including Wesley Sneijder. With Inter already possessing a ready-made replacement in wonderkid Davide Santon, this transfer is not impossible.
David Trezeguet (Juventus)
Possible Destination: Roma, Milan, Napoli, Manchester City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Lyon, Marseille
After almost a decade in Turin, it seems that the prolific Frenchman’s relationship with Juventus has broken down. No longer guaranteed a starting place, due to the presence of Amauri, Trezeguet will not play second fiddle, and a summer exit seems likely, despite comments to the contrary today by the 31-year-old’s agent.
Andrea Pirlo (Milan)
Possible Destination: Chelsea
Often described as the best deep-lying playmaker in the world, Pirlo has been in indifferent form over the past two seasons, and there are murmurings that new Milan coach Leonardo may not fancy him. The departed Carlo Ancelotti is said to want Pirlo at his new club Chelsea, and the player himself refused to rule out the move earlier this week. Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani has declared that Pirlo will stay at Milan 99.9 per cent, but he also said that about Kaka and Andriy Shevchenko.
Samuel Eto’o (Barcelona)
Possible Destination: Inter, Manchester City, Chelsea, Milan
Eto’o had a stunning season in 2008-09, but it is very likely he will depart this summer. Barcelona attempted to offload the Cameroonian last year, and they will do the same this time around. All the talk is of a swap deal involving Inter’s Ibrahimovic, and all that is reportedly preventing the transfer from become official is the signature of Eto’o. Manchester City are also interested, and to a lesser extent Chelsea and Milan.
David Villa (Valencia)
Possible Destination: Real Madrid
The Spanish media are certain that, following the signings of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, David Villa will then become the next member of the Real Madrid Galacticos. With Valencia in desperate financial trouble, star man Villa will have to be sold, and the striker has made it clear that he only wants to join Real Madrid.
David Silva (Valencia)
Possible Destination: Real Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea, Juventus, Inter
Despite Valencia president Manuel Llorente’s declaration that Silva was not for sale, the Spanish press believe that the Euro 2008 star will also be sold in order to balance the books. The attacking midfielder has been most heavily linked with Real Madrid and Liverpool, but Chelsea, Juventus and Inter may also be in with a shout.
Arjen Robben (Real Madrid)
Possible Destination: Milan, Inter, Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City
The main casualties of Florentino Perez’s Galacticos spending spree are likely to be Real Madrid’s Dutch contingent, with Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart, Royston Drenthe and Robben all set to be sold. A fit Robben is one of the best players in the world, and there will be no shortage of clubs ready to take a chance on him.
Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid)
Possible Destination: Inter, Chelsea
After a stunning 2007-08 season, Aguero toiled for periods last term. Nevertheless the Argentine is one of the best young forwards in the world, and it is only a matter of time until he leaves Atletico for one of Europe’s real giants. For a long time, Inter were the favourites to snap him up, but Chelsea are now ahead in the queue, and are rumoured to have tabled a bid in excess of €50m.
Xabi Alonso (Liverpool)
Possible Destination: Real Madrid
Despite being the best player in the Premier League last season, Xabi Alonso and Rafa Benitez simply do not get on and, having tried to offload the midfielder in the summer of 2008, the Liverpool gaffer is unlikely to fail this time around. Real Madrid are well-known admirers, and the Spanish media expects Alonso to sign for the Blancos within the next few weeks.
Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal)
Possible Destination: Milan, Man City
After very nearly leaving the club in the summer of 2008, Adebayor played almost the whole of the 2008-09 season as if he wished he had departed. The former Monaco man has compared Milan to American signer/actress Beyonce, although in recent weeks the Rossoneri seem to have directed their attention to Edin Dzeko. Nevertheless, with Wolfsburg currently refusing to sell, Adebayor is still a very possible purchase. Manchester City are also willing to throw millions at the striker, and following Adebayor’s recent comments that he mainly plays football for money, this transfer cannot be ruled out either.
Gael Clichy (Arsenal)
Possible Destination: Real Madrid, Milan
Despite a disappointing 2008-09 campaign, much like Adebayor, few will doubt the ability and potential of Clichy. Real Madrid are on the lookout for a top-class left back, and Clichy is currently top of their shortlist. Milan are also long-term admirers, and they have money to spend following the sale of Kaka. The presence of former Gunner Mathieu Flamini may also be a tipping point.
Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)
Possible Destination: Real Madrid, Barca, Chelsea, Man Utd, Inter, Milan
Undoubtedly one of Europe’s best players, speculation is rife that Ribery wants to quit Bayern. The English press believe that Sir Alex Ferguson wants the Frenchman to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, while the Spanish media are adamant that his next destination will be Real Madrid or Barcelona. The two Milanese clubs are less likely options.
Karim Benzema (Lyon)
It is perhaps more likely at this stage that Benzema will leave Lyon after the 2010 World Cup, but with all the money flying around Europe, a big bid could certainly see the youngster move a year earlier than planned. Benzema could prove to be the replacement of Eto’o at Barca, Ronaldo at United, Ibrahimovic at Inter, or Kaka at Milan. Watch this space.
Possible Destination: Barcelona, Man Utd, Inter, Milan
Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg)
Possible Destination: Milan, Inter, Chelsea, Manchester City
The revelation of European football this calendar year, Dzeko was undoubtedly the best player in the Bundesliga last season, and he looks like a real star of the future. It is no secret that Milan want Dzeko, and that Dzeko wants Milan – a pre-contract is already believed to have been signed. All that is stopping the transfer being completed is Wolfsburg’s refusal to sell. Given player power today, it will be difficult for the Germans to hold off Milan. Inter, Chelsea, and Manchester City are all waiting in the wings should Milan not meet Wolfsburg’s asking price.
