For footie fans, the summer months are usually spent speculating about which monumental players will be sporting their team’s colours in the coming season.
For footie fans, the summer months are usually spent speculating about which monumental players will be sporting their team’s colours in the coming season. Most of what is written in the back page and online during this time is mere speculation (and quite often nonsense) but here 5 transfer that could see the light of day this Summer.
Hulk:
Rated at upwards from £35million, the Brazilian international could be involved in the biggest transfer of the summer – even bigger than that of Eden Hazard. Apparently flouting the impending Financial Fair Play sanctions, Chelsea are the most likely suitors to add to the £44million pounds of talent already bought in the form of Eden Hazard and Marko Marin. The Blues may have to pay around £38million because of interest from many of Europe’s top clubs and Porto’s reluctance to let their most valuable asset leave. The 25-year-old is seen by many as an ideal replacement for the released Didier Drogba due to his power and physical capabilities that gives him the ability to lead the line up front. A free-kick specialist who can also play on either wing with explosive pace, Givanildo Vieira De Souza, to give him his full name, appears to have it all to become a real world-class player. Typical Brazilian quick-feet, good vision and link-up play, a thunderbolt shot, he is perhaps just a Drogba-esque heading ability from being the ultimate attacker, and that explains his phenomenal goal-scoring record of 36 in 53 games in 2010/2011. His only negative side is perhaps his hot-headed temper which saw him banned for four months for a brawl in a stadium tunnel in 2009. You wouldn’t like him when he’s angry.
Olivier Giroud:
An out-and-out striker who looks set to join Arsenal for £12 million, despite interest from Borussia Mochengladbach. A late developer, Giroud has shot to stardom this season, winning Ligue 1 with French surprise package Montpellier and forcing his way into the French squad for Euro 2012. The 25-year-old scored 21 goals in Montpellier’s title chase, sharing the golden boot, and was given the affectionate nickname of “le buteur de charme” – The Charm Striker, by the French newspaper Le Parisien. Would fit in as Van Persie’s replacement/backup as he is strong and tall (6,3) enough to play on his own up top, as well as in a front two. He’s more than a target man though, with a good eye for a pass and an ability to score with either foot. A £12million buyout clause in his contract makes this deal a bargain.
Yann M’Vila:
Again the most likely destination is the red side of North London – not often that monsieur Wenger splashes the cash, and especially not twice in one window. And it’s the price-tag of around £17million that could see the Gunners miss out on this target, with other European clubs, notably Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, interested in the Frenchman’s services. A defensive midfielder whose main attributes are a great positional sense and an eye for a pass – rarely giving the ball away – exactly what Gunners fans have been crying out for. Arsenal are looking to strengthen the defensive midfield area as Alex Song’s play has become more creative, and less focussed on defence, therefor M’Vila’s style of playing very deep – just in front of the centre-backs, is exactly what Wenger wants. Like Hulk, M’Vila is also a hot-headed player, who spent a night in a police cell earlier this season after punching a 17-year-old. But he doesn’t allow these antics to spill over onto his performances on the pitch, and is known for playing with bags of commitment.
Milos Krasic:
A tricky winger who could be on his way to Liverpool this summer, or even West Ham. One thing is for sure, and that is Krasic will definitely be leaving Juventus. The Serbian international has lost his place in the side of the undefeated Italian champions and is looking for a way out. He has said of his desire to play in England, and a £6million price tag shouldn’t put off many potential suitors, especially considering he was signed by the Old Lady for €15million. He is a traditional winger: fast, elusive, a good crossing ability, as well as popping up with the odd goal, the 27-year-old’s only weakness appears to be his consistency, his commitment as the highest level has also been questioned after his failure at Juve. West Ham are also in the running to sign the Serbian, as well another Juventus winger, 25-year-old Dutch international Eljero Elia, as the Turin club try to raise funds to sign a world-class striker.
Luka Modric:
Although Spurs clung onto their midfield dynamo last summer; it may be trickier 
this time around. Man Utd were the most likely buyers due to their apparent need for a world-class central midfielder, but Real Madrid appear to have pushed ahead to be favourites to sign the Croatian international. Managerless Spurs will require a very large fee, probably around £35million for their 26-year-old midfield lynch-pin, who apparently prefers a move to Spain instead of Manchester or Chelsea. Jose Mourinho wants Modric to play alongside Xabi Alonso in his quest to win the Champion’s League with three different clubs – unsurprising after his form for Tottenham over the last couple of seasons. Dominating games with his flawless technical ability, never giving the ball away with his faultless passing, and scoring some spectacular goals, Modric has the skills to settle in to any style of football and dictate play, whoever he is playing for next season.
