After careful evaluation of Potential Transfer Targets for Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, lets have a look at the rest of the teams in the Top 6…
Manchester United
Jose Mourinho’s appointment in the summer will have divided opinion of the Manchester United faithful, but times have changed at Old Trafford and it had got to a point where there was nowhere else to turn.
The failed experiments of previous managers David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal, the club was on a slippery slope rather than a period of progression after the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson. Moyes and Van Gaal had left a broken shell of their former selves. ‘I think I found a sad club.’ Mourinho admitted.
Seven months in, Mourinho will be satisfied with the quality he has at his disposal. Certainly, he will want more with the club lying in 5th place in the Premier League table, 4 points from 4th and with 2 cups already to his name, Mourinho will be looking to build on that next season. United are sure to make improvements in the summer window, but who is on Mourinho’s hitlist?
Potential Transfer Targets:
Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) – According to various reports, Antoine Griezmann is on the verge of completing a £86million move to Manchester United with claims that a transfer move this summer is now a ‘formality’. The French international has been on United’s radar for a while now, with Sky Sports Sources also reporting that United will be interested in securing the striker’s services if he does become available at the end of the season.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Atletico have also accepted that their star player will be on his way out as he prepares for a switch to a bigger club. Griezmann has 79 goals in 147 games for Atletico since his move from Real Sociedad, including 22 goals this season as he continues to prove himself as one of the best attackers in World Football.
If United do get their man, Mourinho will be looking at a star studded squad filled with bags of quality to properly compete on all fronts next season, especially fighting for the Premier League title.
Tiemoue Bakayoko (Monaco) – According to reports, Bakayoko has agreed personal terms with Chelsea to join Antonio Conte’s revolution at Stamford Bridge. If so, will Mourinho be missing out on a ideal replacement for the ageing Michael Carrick?
Bakayoko has enjoyed a fruitful season at Monaco after years of being on the periphery, Leonardo Jardim has revitalised the midfielder earning him a call up to the French team for the first team. The midfield powerhouse has been central to Monaco’s success this season with the club looking to secure their first Ligue 1 title since 2000, hoping to end the 4 year dominance of Paris Saint-Germain.
The midfielder has the technical skills, power and passing attributes to replace Michael Carrick next season, not to mention his tackling and ability to carry the ball from deep. Bakayoko could form a frightening partnership with fellow countryman Paul Pogba and Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera – a midfield combination that has the ability to compliment each other.
Victor Lindelof (Benfica) – A deal that is the least likely to happen this summer is the interest in Swedish hot prospect Victor Lindelof. The defender has committed his future to the club, signing a new deal that will tie him till 2021. Any plans of a summer deal for the defender may have been brought to halt, after the club were heavily linked with the defender in the January window.
Manchester City
If anyone associated with Manchester City football club thought they would be in for an easy ride at the start of the season after the appointment of manager Pep Guardiola, then they were wrong. With a few months to go until the end of the Premier League season, Pep Guardiola has had it tough so far as he looks to rebuild and take the club to greater heights. Certainly, the some of the football that City have produced this season has been nothing short of scintillating but if there is any weaknesses or chinks to Guardiola’s armour is his defence.
On numerous occasions this season, City have been found wanting at the back plus the uncertainty in terms of the goalkeepers haven’t helped either. A problem Guardiola will be eager to fix this summer as he aspires to take Manchester City to the next level. City are in for a hectic summer with City looking to release and sell the ageing and deadwood players in their squad as much as they are to buy players
With a £200million pound transfer kitty to spend according to reports, who could be on Guardiola’s radar this summer?
Potential Transfer Targets:
Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus) – According to the Manchester Evening News, Italian defender and Juve legend will be open to leaving the Turin club this summer if Massimiliano Allegri stays on as manager. The 29-year old has been heavily linked with the club even before Guardiola splashed out on John Stones.
The Catalan previously described Bonucci as ‘One of favourite ever players’ while he was Bayern Munich boss. And various reports have suggested that Bonucci has been approached by both Guardiola and Chelsea boss Antonio Conte about a summer move.
Bonucci would command a world record transfer fee for a defender, but his future reportedly hinges on Allegri’s future amid reports suggesting he could replace Arsene Wenger at Arsenal if the Frenchman decides to leave at the end of the season. The Italian defender and coach Allegri clashed on the touchline during Juventus’ victory over Palermo in February. Bonucci has apologised to Allegri, but there are believed some friction between the pair, which in turn could lead to either bringing an end to their time at the club.
Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich) – According to The Sun, Pep Guardiola wants Bayern Munich defender Joshua Kimmich has part of revamp of the City squad this summer. The £40million pound rated Germany star , who can play full-back, centre-back and in the midfield , tops the list of players Guardiola plans to bring in.
Guardiola gave the youngster his big break while he was coach at Bayern Munich last season, but Kimmich has only seen 42 minutes of football in the last 5 games under Ancelotti this season and is getting frustrated at his lack of playing time.
The full-back position is one Guardiola needs a lot of change in this summer and Kimmich could be the first of a couple signings in that department as Guardiola plans to rid of the ageing stars such as Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy and Aleksander Kolarov.
Kingsley Coman (Juventus) – Manchester City have targeted young French winger Kingsley Coman to be part of their Summer rebuild.
Guardiola brought Coman to Bayern Munich from Juventus on a long-term loan at the start of last season, and is keen to be reunited with the highly-rated 20-year-old. Bayern have the option to sign Coman on a permanent deal but it is reported that Ancelotti is unwilling to trigger the deal leaving Guardiola with the luxury to pursue the French international.
Sources in France suggest that they are ready to spend around £40million pounds to secure Coman’s services ahead of rival interest across Europe. Coman has no interest in returning to Juventus and was hoping to take advantage of the fact that Frank Ribery and Arjen Robben will no longer feature in Ancelotti’s plans because of their ages.
With Bayern seemingly reluctant to sign Coman on a permanent deal, City are ready to move to land a precocious talent they have scouted extensively during this season. Guardiola is looking to add Coman to his list of young attacking weapons such as Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus which will provide him with one of the most exciting attackers in Europe.
Jose Gaya (Valencia) – According to reports in Spain, Manchester City are also interested in securing the services of Valencia left-back Jose Gaya with Guardiola planning to reshape and revamp his defence. Guardiola feels Gaya would suit his planned philosophy at City perfectly.
Gaya who has extensive experience for Spain’s youth teams, has reportedly been on City’s radar for months with the club looking for an upgrade on current left backs Gael Clichy and Aleksander Kolarov.
Tottenham Hotspur
It has been another impressive season for Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham, although Chelsea look shoe-in to recapture their Premier league title being 10 points in front of their London rivals. Pochettino’s men lie second place and albeit a catastrophic slip-up, Tottenham are looking at another season in the Champions League next season and the fulfilment of finishing well above their arch rivals Arsenal after dramatically failing to do so last year.
With a FA Cup semi-final date with Chelsea on the horizon, Pochettino will be looking to add his first piece of silverware to what has been a steady, progressive and exciting project at White Hart Lane. Plans are already in place on their hopes for a new stadium, but could that have an effect on their transfer budget for this summer? It is most likely, this summer Tottenham will be focusing on keeping their star players such as Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli, Toby Alderweireld, Hugo Lloris and Harry Kane. Most importantly, trying not to lose Pochettino to Barcelona as they are in search for a new coach to replace Luis Enrique. Will Tottenham need to offload in order to sign players? That is looking all the more likely with Summer signings Vincent Janssen and Moussa Sissoko on the agenda of being sold with both players failing to shine in their first seasons at the club.
But who would be on Tottenham’s hitlist if they were to spend this summer?
Potential Transfer Targets:
Ross Barkley (Everton) – Reports are emanating surrounding the future of Ross Barkley, suggesting the England international could be on the move to White Hart Lane this summer. The Everton has earned an England recall after rediscovering his form under Ronald Koeman in recent weeks.
Both Spurs and Arsenal are considering a move for Barkley as he mulls over his Everton future. Could it hinge on the future of forward Romelu Lukaku who has recently stated he doesn’t plan to sign a new contract at Goodison Park.
It is reported that Pochettino has stolen a march on Wenger to secure Barkley’s services as the Argentinian coach feels he could fit perfectly with fellow countryman Dele Alli. But will this move make sense? Christian Eriksen has expressed his desire to stay on at White Hart Lane, and it is highly unlikely that Barkley will be taking his place.
Nonetheless, Everton are desperate for Barkley to renew his contract with the club, with Koeman stating in his press conference either Barkley signs a new deal or leaves the club. Barkley wants to succeed at his boyhood club but at the same time has the desire to perform in the Champions League, an opportunity Everton are unlikely to compete in next season.
Isco (Real Madrid) – Pochettino has previously refused to comment on whether he could making a move for Real Madrid hotshot Isco this summer. Isco has been the subject of intense Transfer speculation regarding his future at Real Madrid with Tottenham being the likely club to secure his signature at the expense of Manchester City who are also believed to be interested.
Isco moved to Real Madrid from Malaga in 2013 but has struggled to secure a permanent place in the Real Madrid starting line-up, there is also the issue that Pochettino might struggle to fit the Spaniard into his own line-up which already contains Eriksen and Alli.
It is looking increasingly likely that Isco will b on the move this summer with reports even claiming that he could join main rivals Barcelona, much to the dismay of the Spanish playmaker.
Jean-Kevin Augustin (Paris Saint-Germain)
French Newspaper L’Equiqe reported Tottenham could be interested in the services of Jean-Kevin Augustin and are hopeful of landing the 19-year-old if PSG do go along with the supposed plans to sign a back-up to Edinson Cavani.
Augustin has made only a handful of starts under PSG coach Unai Emery this season and has become frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities, it is mentioned the youngster may consider an exit from the club.
Tottenham are looking for another back-up to Harry Kane after Vincent Janssen has disappointed in his first season with only 1 goal from open play to his name. Kane patrols the striking duties up front for Tottenham, however, Augustin may be aware that he may have to swap a No.2 position for another if his were to make the switch the White Hart Lane.
WRITTEN BY ANTHONY ONIFADE
anthonyscouts.co.uk 