Kaka to Chelsea?
Goal.com looks at the pick of Europe's stars who might be heading to our shores before the start of next season in what promises to be a thrilling transfer window.
As the climax of the 2010-11 season nears, clubs around Europe are gearing up for another busy and dramatic transfer window.Some of the continent's most coveted stars are on the radar of the Premier League's big spenders as they seek to bolster their squads and challenge for silverware next year.
Over the next week Goal.com UK brings you a special guide on the players from the top flights of Spain, Italy, Netherlands, France and Germany who are garnering strong interest from the Premier League.
With the assistance of Goal.com International's La Liga expert, Ben Hayward, we begin by analysing some of the top stars who could be on the move from Spain - and look at the options for where they could end up...
| BOJAN | Barcelona, Striker, 20 |
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Arsenal and Liverpool are both keeping a very close eye on the £15 million-rated Spanish international, who burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old in 2007 but has struggled to develop to the level that was expected of him.
Bojan's agent, Zoran Vekic, will sit down with the Barcelona hierarchy at the end of the season to discuss the forward's future at the club but the player is understood to be keen to play more regularly in order to develop.
The 20-year-old has found himself behind Lionel Messi, David Villa and Pedro in the pecking order at Camp Nou, while the January arrival of Ibrahim Afellay has cast further doubt over his future.
Barcelona are in no rush to sell a player who is contracted until 2015 and has been at the club since he was nine – but they could see interest from Arsenal as a sweetener in their anticipated summer bid for Cesc Fabregas.
The view from Ben Hayward, Spain: Strikers thrive on confidence - and that's the problem for Bojan. The young Catalan forward has never got a proper run in the first team at Camp Nou, living in the shadows of Samuel Eto’o, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and now David Villa. Popular with the fans as a Catalan product and eager to please with some hard-working performances, Bojan would love to become Barca’s first-choice frontman. But at the moment a move away – at least on loan – looks the best way for the striker to regain some confidence. Opportunities have been limited and six goals is his poorest return in four seasons playing for the first team. He is now out for the season with an injury and may not play ever again for the Catalans. Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea have all been mentioned as potential suitors, with a move to north London the most likely outcome. “My future? I don’t even know what I’ll be doing next week,” he has said.
| DAVID DE GEA | Atletico Madrid, Goalkeeper, 20 |
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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson made his move for De Gea after months of speculation over who he would target to replace Edwin van der Sar, who will retire at the end of the season. The Old Trafford club are believed to have agreed a fee of around £17.5m last month for the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper and it is now down to the player to decide whether he wants to move to Old Trafford.
Ferguson is convinced the 20-year-old is a star of the future and has the ability to be United's No.1 for many years. The Scot even missed United's League Cup win at Scunthorpe earlier this season to watch the Spaniard in action and has continued his pursuit despite goalkeeping coach Erik Steel's preference for Schalke's Manuel Neuer.
De Gea has shown signs of weakness this season and his inconsistency has resulted in questions over whether he is ready for a move to one of the biggest clubs in Europe while he feels very settled in his home city of Madrid.
But his advisors feel the opportunity is too good to miss and he is likely to join United in the summer despite being offered a new contract by Atletico.
Ben Hayward: De Gea is still only 20 and having progressed through the youth ranks at the Vicente Calderon, made his debut in late 2009. He was an instant hit, saving a penalty in that match against Zaragoza to earn a standing ovation from the home faithful. This season he has made the No.1 jersey his own, growing in stature with a string of solid showings. The youngster has been constantly linked with a move to Manchester United as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar, but says: “If Atletico fight to keep me, it would be difficult to leave.” However, a move to Old Trafford still looks on the cards.
| KAKA | Real Madrid, Playmaker, 29 |
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The 2009 Galactico signing has been in the descendant for some time following a combination of injury and mediocre form, and Real have privately indicated they are willing to cash in on the playmaker.
This has put the two biggest-spending Premier League clubs, Manchester City and Chelsea, on high alert, while AC Milan have also said they are keeping tabs on their former player.
The injury-plagued Brazilian will not come cheap. He is said to earn £8m net per year at Real, equivalent to an eye-watering £308,000-a-week, given Britain’s 50% tax rate for top earners.
Real will also want to recoup a large portion of the then world-record £56m fee they paid for the 2007 World Player of the Year.
City tried to land Kaka for £100m in the January 2009 window but Uefa’s forthcoming financial fair play rules mean they will have to be far more circumspect this summer in the transfer fees and salaries they offer.
For any deal to happen, Kaka, who has four years remaining on his Real contract, will have to take a significant wage cut.
Ben Hayward: Kaka has had his injury problems this season, but is back to what looks like something close to full fitness following a nightmare first year and a half at the Santiago Bernabeu. Stunning recent performances in the wins over Athletic Bilbao and Valencia look to have pleased coach Jose Mourinho, but the Brazilian disappointed in Tuesday night’s Champions League semi-final second leg at Barcelona and a move may just be the best thing for all parties before he picks up another injury. “I apologise to the fans; I want to win them over,” he said last month. “And I want to triumph at Real Madrid.” But Mourinho may decide he is an expensive luxury. Money talks, too, and Manchester City have a lot of it. Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United have also been linked.
| PABLO OSVALDO | Espanyol, Striker, 25 |
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Representatives from Tottenham, Manchester United, Everton and Fulham all watched the highly rated Argentina international score in Espanyol's 2-1 win against Athletic Bilbao last week, sparking speculation about a summer move to the Premier League.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has been reported to hold the strongest interest while Fulham boss Mark Hughes has openly declared his admiration for the 25-year-old, who has scored 11 goals in 20 appearances this season.
Espanyol are considered a selling club in Spain and are almost certain to accept a £12m bid for the striker, who plays mainly as a lone frontman and is strong, skilful and can find the back of the net.
Despite his fine form this season, he could be considered a gamble at that price as he struggled badly in Italy and was not able to get a game at Bologna before moving to Espanyol, initially on loan.
He is believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League this summer and holding an Italian passport means there will be no work permit issues.
Ben Hayward: A luke-warm success in Italy in spells at Fiorentina and Bologna (following a very successful time at Lecce), Dani Osvaldo has blossomed in Barcelona at Espanyol. His goals in the second half of last season helped the Catalans move clear of the relegation zone and he was a revelation in the club’s brilliant start to the season. With Osvaldo firing in the goals, Espanyol looked set to challenge for a Champions League place, but the Catalans’ form dropped as he was sidelined for over two months after rupturing his left adductor. Back in the team and back in the goals, Osvaldo has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham, while Everton, Newcastle and Fulham are all possible suitors as well. And with Espanyol in debt and Osvaldo the club’s most marketable asset, a move looks likely. Tottenham have bigger targets, but may have to turn to Osvaldo if they cannot sign a more high-profile forward. If not, a move to west London could be on the cards. Mark Hughes has already expressed an interest.
| DIEGO PEROTTI | Sevilla, Playmaker, 22 |
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Sevilla’s attacking midfielder is on the radar of a number of Premier League clubs, including Tottenham, Everton and Newcastle.
The Spanish club have put a £13.5m price tag on the Argentine, who operates mainly on the left side of midfield.
Given Sevilla’s financial troubles, the imminent arrival at the club of Germany international Piotr Trochowski has led to speculation in Spain that Perotti will be on the move this summer.
Marseille have also been linked with Perotti and it is believed that Sevilla are willing to listen to part-exchange offers. Spurs have contacted the club about offering Giovani dos Santos or Niko Kranjcar as a makeweight in a deal.
The 22-year-old has followed up his five goals in 41 matches for Sevilla last season by starting 34 of his 42 games in the current campaign, which have yielded four goals and six assists.
Ben Hayward: Having started his career at the amusingly named Deportivo Moron, Perotti joined Sevilla in 2007. And following three successful seasons with the club’s youth side, he stepped up the first team in 2009. Perotti - currently injured - is fast, can dribble, beat a man and has plenty of tricks in his locker, helping Sevilla to create chances in the absence of Spain’s Jesus Navas, who has missed large chunks of this season through injury. He is set to become a full Argentina international and at 22, is one for the future. But for whom? Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle, Everton and Spurs have all been linked, with the Reds looking in pole position for a deal. “If the club need money and a good offer comes in, we’ll talk,” he said.
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