Premier League Footballers who Could Move This Summer

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With the European season for 2010-11 now over, the attention has inevitably shifted to the summer transfer market. From now until the window closes on August 31, every club on the continent will be working around the clock in an attempt to strengthen their squads for 2011-12.

But while clubs look to build stronger teams for the new season, some clubs are fighting hard to keep some of their big stars.

Gareth Bale: Tottenham

The winger has shot to stardom in the last year and is a target for all of the top clubs across Europe following his sensational displays in the Champions League, particularly his hat-trick against Inter at San Siro. Bale's devastating pace and power would be welcome in any team and Tottenham are expecting big-money summer bids for the PFA Player of the Year.


Manchester United and Real Madrid both tried to sign the 21-year-old last summer but it would take an astonishing bid of £50m for Spurs to even consider selling a player who signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract in March. At that kind of price, Manchester City and Chelsea are the two clubs who can realistically afford to sign Bale this summer, but the player insists he is happy at Tottenham and feels he owes the club at least another year. He recently admitted he is tempted by the lure of playing in Spain or Italy in the future.

Dimitar Berbatov: Manchester United

He may have been joint top-scorer in the Premier League with 20 goals, but the Bulgarian looks to be on his way out of Old Trafford this summer after suffering the ignominy of being completely left out of the squad for the Champions League final. The 30-year-old striker has never settled at United following his £30.75m move from Tottenham in 2008 and has constantly found himself out of the side in the big games, particularly since the emergence of Javier Hernandez.

Berbatov has just a year left on his contract so Sir Alex Ferguson knows he will need to sell this summer to make some sort of return in terms of transfer fee. The former Bayer Leverkusen star is a leading target for German giants Bayern Munich but is threatening to run down the final year of his deal at Old Trafford.

Cesc Fabregas: Arsenal

The Arsenal captain's desire to return to Barcelona was the transfer saga of last summer – and it could be the case once again this year with Fabregas desperate to join the European champions. Twelve months ago he felt emotional about the prospect of leaving, but now it is all very business-like as he hopes to re-unite with a number of his Spain team-mates.

The problem for Fabregas and Barcelona is that Arsenal have plenty of money and will stick to their guns until they get the offer they want, which is £45m. Arsenal will not stand in his way but they are determined that they will not sell the midfielder on the cheap. While Fabregas only has a desire to leave for Barcelona, his agent and father may have other ideas so an interim move for two years to a club like Manchester City – who can offer a massive pay rise – is not impossible.

Samir Nasri: Arsenal

As the Frenchman enters the final 12 months of his contract with Arsenal, there is growing rumour that he wants out. Lack of trophies and inability of coach Arsene Wenger to spend big in the transfer market are some of the reasons why Nasri is stalling on a new contract talk. If he leaves, Manchester United could be his destination, especially with France team mate Patrick Evra calling on him to come and win trophy at United.

But the final say resides with Arsenal and tactically, they may have odd feeling towards selling one of their best players to a rival club as it will mean strengthening the opposition at the expense of their own ambition. Here, Real Madrid come into the picture as reports said they are also interested in the player.

Luka Modric: Tottenham

Sir Alex Ferguson named the Croatian playmaker as his player of the year last season so it is no surprise that Modric is the Scot's first choice to replace the retiring Paul Scholes at Manchester United. His exceptional command of the ball has also made Modric a target for Chelsea as last season's top two both look to add creativity to their midfields.

Modric left the door open for a move last week by refusing to rule out a transfer and declaring his desire to play in the Champions League, but it would take a huge bid for Tottenham to even consider selling. Harry Redknapp believes Modric is the most important player in his squad and has insisted the 25-year-old will not be sold as Spurs look to return to the top four next season.

Carlos Tevez: Manchester City

Tevez is a summer target for Inter and Real Madrid but the Manchester City captain may not have quite as many options as he might have hoped. City have no need to sell their leading forward and few clubs are in the market for a forward who has been valued by his club at £45m after two stunning seasons at Eastlands.

The 27-year-old has developed rapidly as a player since signing for City but he has never settled and stunned the club by submitting, and then withdrawing, a written transfer request in December. Tevez claims that family issues are at the heart of his thoughts about leaving the club and has turned down an offer of a new contract worth £250,000-a-week. He wants to leave, but as yet there are no signs that the interested clubs are willing to pay the fee and the wages it will take to land the Argentine striker.

Ashley Young: Aston Villa

The England forward is almost certain to leave Aston Villa this summer and is the subject of a transfer tug-of-war between bitter rivals Manchester United and Liverpool. Both sides believe his pace and delivery will be assets while he carries little risk having consistently impressed for Villa since his £9.75m switch from Watford.

Young has just a year left on his contract and will be available for a cut-price £15m as Villa know they will be forced to sell and avoid the winger running down his contract and leaving for nothing. Young is believed to favour a move to Old Trafford as he wants to test himself in the Champions League, but Liverpool are prepared to offer greater wages and a regular starting spot.? He hopes for his future to be resolved in the next seven days.



Source: The Punch