Chronicle Editor
The January transfer window has closed but there are still some unhappy players who will have to wait five months before they can get their dream moves.
One of those is Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani, who is set to join one lucky club (possibly Atletico Madrid) on a free transfer at the end of his contract, but we’ve left those players available for nothing for a different story.
And what of Neymar? Well, the Brazilian wants to pledge his future to PSG, sources have told ESPN, though any agreement could depend on the club’s progress in the Champions League. A move back to Barcelona or a shock transfer to Real Madrid could be on the cards, but for our money this one could drag on for at least another year and beyond summer 2020, so we’ve left him out too.
That just leaves these guys . . .
PAUL POGBA
Position: Midfielder
Team: Manchester United
Value: £100m
This one could get ugly. United have signed his presumed replacement, Bruno Fernandes, already and Pogba will surely get his move in the summer. Real Madrid rejected Christian Eriksen to wait for the Frenchman, so expect a bid to happen, though Juventus will be making their case too. United won’t get the £150m they want for Pogba, but he won’t be at Old Trafford much longer.
Teams linked: Real Madrid, Juventus, Barcelona
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG
Position: Striker
Team: Arsenal
Value: £60m
Aubameyang is entering the final year of his contract this summer and at 30 years old, he’ll be eyeing a move to a club where he can win a trophy before he retires. Barcelona will be interested as they look to replace Luis Suarez, but expect some competition from other top teams.
Teams linked: Barcelona, PSG, Real Madrid
LEROY SANE
Position: Forward
Team: Bayern Munich
Value: £100m
Sane would already be a Bayern Munich player by now if it hadn’t been for a knee injury that ruled him out for much of this season. The Germany international has grown tired of competition for his place at City; Bayern are really the only club he looks likely to join and they will reignite their interest in the summer.
Teams linked: Bayern Munich
DAYOT UPAMECANO
Position: Defender
Team: RB Leipzig
Value: £68m
One of the most highly-regarded defensive prospects in Europe, the 21-year-old has impressed in the Bundesliga and could be the latest Frenchman to land at Arsenal if the Gunners are willing to stump up to pay his reported £68m release clause in the summer. If they aren’t, there will be plenty of other suitors.
Teams linked: Arsenal, Man City, Tottenham, AC Milan
TIMO WERNER
Position: Striker
Team: RB Leipzig
Value: £27m
The Germany striker only recently signed a new contract at Leipzig but with a reported £27m release clause included, the big clubs will circle. It’s impossible to find a young striker of Werner’s quality for that price, so he will have options: however, many of them will want him to play backup to an already established striker like Roberto Firmino, Tammy Abraham or Robert Lewandowski. Sources have told ESPN that Liverpool are favourites for his signature.
Teams linked: Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Bayern, Barcelona, Real Madrid
GARETH BALE
Position: Forward
Team: Real Madrid
Value: £60m
“Wales. Golf. Real Madrid. In that order.” Bale’s relationship with the Real fans has taken a hit, unsurprisingly, and it would be a shock if he doesn’t move on in the summer. A lucrative move to China fell through last year, but Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho is a big fan of the Welsh winger and could yet bring him back to north London.
Teams linked: Tottenham, Bayern, PSG, Jiangsu Suning
JADON SANCHO
Position: Forward
Team: Dortmund
Value: £120m
Sancho left Man City in 2017 for a measly sum of £8m to get first-team football in Germany and boy, did it pay off. Now one of the most exciting attackers in the game, the 19-year-old can have his pick of clubs if they meet Dortmund’s asking price of £120m. Though, with Erling Haaland impressing at Dortmund with seven goals in four matches since his January arrival, perhaps Sancho staying put isn’t completely out of the question.
Teams linked: Man United, Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Bayern, PSG, Juventus
KALIDOU KOULIBALY
Position: Defender
Team: Napoli
Value: £90m
One of the best centre-backs in the world. it’s easy to see why clubs are circling for Koulibaly’s signature. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has already said he won’t let the Senegal defender go without a massive offer but, although there will be plenty of clubs looking to strengthen in that position and with money to spend in the summer, he won’t get the €150m release clause he desires and may have to settle for less.
Teams linked: Man United, Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid, PSG
KAI HAVERTZ
Position: Midfielder
Team: Bayer Leverkusen
Value: £100m
The “new Mesut Ozil” won’t stay at Leverkusen beyond the summer. At only 20, Havertz has the world at his feet and it’s most likely that he’ll head to Bayern or Barcelona, though he would fit perfectly at Liverpool too given his versatility and vision in the No. 10 role.
Teams linked: Bayern, Barcelona, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City, Man United, Real Madrid
JAMES MADDISON
Position: Midfielder
Team: Leicester
Value: £85m
This season has been a revelation for the former Norwich midfielder and Leicester will want to get as much as Man United paid for Harry Maguire (£85m) if they sell him. Maddison, who only signed for £20m in 2018, is clearly well suited to the Premier League and has shown as much with six goals and three assists this season, so United or Chelsea would be getting proven quality. His Leicester teammate Ben Chilwell could also join him, with the left-back of interest to the same clubs.
Teams linked: Man United, Chelsea, Tottenham
DONNY VAN DE BEEK
Position: Midfielder
Team: Ajax
Value: £50m
When Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong moved on from Ajax, everyone assumed that Van de Beek would be next. A skilful attacking midfielder, the 22-year-old has plenty of suitors but has reportedly agreed a €55m summer move to Real Madrid. Sorry, everyone else.-ESPNFC.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu