Ten Transfers That We Think Are Likely to Happen This Summer

A collection of deals we feel could come to fruition during the next transfer window.



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Some deals are just nailed on certainties. They've been in the works for months and some should have happened last summer.

But footballers are commodities and clubs don't like to let them go easily.

The players on this list have all strongly been linked with moves away, and in some cases, the deal may already be in place to take them somewhere else at the end of the season. All have played key roles for their current clubs and all will no doubt be even more valuable to their new sides too.



Stevan Jovetic: Fiorentina to Arsenal

According to reports this deal is already done and all that's left to do is sign on the dotted line, and not a moment too soon.

Arsenal are in desperate need of a goalscorer as well as a touch of class. The forwards Wenger has brought in recently have so far failed to deceive and with the sale of Robin Van Persie last summer the club lack a genuine threat that those around them have.

Marouane Chamakh, Gervinho, Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski have struggled to wrack up the goals in North London and though Podolski could be considered as world class, his input for the national team far exceeds anything he's ever done at club level.

Jovetic has transformed from a gangly teenager into a truly top level player. His price tag is justified too as Arsenal won't just be buying him for what he can do but for the future potential as well. He guarantees goals as well as adding to the all round attacking threat and he should fit in well with the manager's plans.

The player himself has spoke of an 'affinity' for the club, but has done Fiorentina the respect of refusing to comment on speculation until Champions League football has been guaranteed for The Viola.





Ezequiel Garay Benfica to Manchester United

It wasn't long ago that Garay was at Real Madrid being lauded as the next defensive colossus who would take the world by storm. However, competition is fierce at the Bernabeau and he has since been shipped out to Benfica.

The Argentine international has been seen as the ideal replacement for Nemanja Vidic, who has seen his United career skid to a halt over the last two seasons thanks to injury. The big Serb is also expected to be heading to Milan this summer.

Only Garay doesn't resemble Vidic as much as he does Rio Ferdinand. The England man may be enjoying a slight renaissance at the moment but it's clear that he's a long way from the player he used to be.

Like the young Ferdinand, Garay is quick, clever and comfortable with the ball at his feet bringing it out from defense. He is a key man for pressing whenever the side lose the ball and is adept at making the right tackle at the right time.

At 26 years of age, the timing for a move to the Premier is perfect. He has been under the club's radar for some time now and United will want to pounce before he has his head turned elsewhere.





Yaya Toure: Man City to Paris Saint Germain

When a club courts a player under contract elsewhere, the speculation takes over but the interest between club and player is like a playful flirt.

One will inevitably play hard to get, and deny claims of a move made by the press, but nine times out of ten they will be joined in glorious union come the end of the season.

A few years ago it would have been laughable to suggest that Toure would join PSG, but now the tables have turned as one mega rich club look set to look out to an even richer side.

The player's agent claims that his client isn't happy, and after all of the rumblings and bust ups at City this year the rumour may not be unfounded.

The player has denied it, of course, but has also refused to make his plans clear until the end of the season – which usually only means one thing.

PSG will not only be able to pay for him, but offer him a competitive platform alongside some of the world's finest player as they gear up for an assault on the Champion's League next season. Toure would be the perfect pivot man for the capital club providing an athleticism and experience that not many others possess.





Radamel Falcao: Atletico Madrid to Chelsea

A deal that has been in the works for a while. The move would suit both parties greatly as it would likely involve a part exchange with an Atletico old boy who is currently down on his luck in London.

The Madrid side knew they couldn't hold on to Falcao forever, he's just too good to not be at one of Europe's elite. There aren't many who could afford him either, but Chelsea are due one big summer signing every year and have made it clear that the Colombian is their man.

Of course, any move would pave the way for Fernando Torres to return to the club where it all began. The Spaniard has found his Liverpool form tough to replicate at Stamford Bridge and an escape route to familiar surroundings could prove to great to resist.

Quite possibly the best out and out striker in the world right now, the thought of him teaming up with return loanee, Romelu Lukaku would give Chelsea a menacing front line that would strike fear into the hearts of any defence.

A secret meeting between club and player are rumoured to have transpired last week and if that is the case then all bets will most surely be off when the summer arrives.

He will make Chelsea one of the most dangerous sides in the league again as many have feared the club has gone stale. All eyes will be on who the manager will be that harnesses his talent, and whoever it is will have a powerful weapon on his hands.





Christian Benteke: Aston Villa to Tottenham Hotspur

The big Belgian has hit the ground running in the Premier League this season and with Villa resting precariously above the drop zone, there's a good chance that he'll be wearing someone else's colours next term.

A surprise signing from Paul Lambert, Benteke has proved that he's not over awed on the big stage and, in truth he probably deserves a higher platform than Villa can provide him with.

At just 22, he can still look a little raw. Villa have relied on him heavily this season and at times he can frustrate himself by trying to do too much. But one thing is certain; his finishing is lethal.

Spurs look on course to reach the Champions League next season and Benteke has made it no secret that that's where he wants to be.

He won't come cheap, though, Villa signed him for £7 million and he is only eight months into a three-year deal. Whether stay up or go down, they can charge triple that after the way he's performed this campaign.





Luke Shaw: Southampton to Chelsea

Young talent is snapped up quickly these days, and Luke Shaw will be no different.

Following in similar footsteps as Wayne Bridge and Glen Johnson, the 17-year-old has been consistently linked with a possible move to Chelsea this summer.

Already eyeing a replacement for the ageing Ashley Cole, the West Londoners will still have a few years yet for the England man to pass on his wisdom to the youngster, or they may decide to send him back on loan to the Saints for another year.

Shaw is in his breakthrough season on the South coast and has made the left-back slot his own.

A boyhood Chelsea fan, Shaw will most likely see his dream come true despite the club still unsure over who their next manager will be, but they have kept the England youth international a top priority.

When you're a fan of a club, and constantly described as 'the next Ashley Cole' there really is only one place that you will end up.





Frank Lampard: Chelsea to the MLS

With the club still not offering their talismanic midfielder a new deal beyond this season, he could seek to follow in the footsteps of David Beckham and make the move across the pond.

Clearly with a lot still to offer, it's hard to imagine him wearing the shirt of another Premier League club for another two to three years and there are far worse places to live than the United States.

Realistically, only the LA Galaxy or the New York Red Bulls would be able to afford him, but they have filled their designated player spots for the season and may have to shift somebody out in order to accommodate him.

And what an asset they'd be getting. The Americans know their soccer and Lampard would represent a big attraction for a club, both financially and on the field.

It is easy to sneer at the MLS and dismiss it as a low quality league, but this is the place that has spawned the likes of Clint Dempsey, Brad Friedel and Tim Howard, amongst others, and it's only now that America is learning to keep its homegrown stars as well as make additions from abroad.

Lampard would thrive in the league that has no clear winners, and he could play a major part in the beginnings of a dynasty.

He may not possess the same star quality as Beckham, but he is more than capable of stealing a few hearts while his is out there as well as making a healthy addition to his bank balance.





Tom Ince: Blackpool to Liverpool

This deal was such a certainty in January many thought it had actually gone ahead.

Liverpool is where it all started for Ince, and though he is a completely different player to his father, this is one move where he is likely to follow in his footsteps.

Of course, when your father is your manager at your current club, it is obvious to know that there is someone there with your best interests at heart.

Ince has been sensible about his career so far. He's stayed at Blackpool, a club that he truly seems to care about, not only because he's virtually guaranteed a starting spot, but the time has come for him to take the step up back to the Premier League.

Rodgers is rebuilding at Anfield, and there will be many comings and goings over the summer. Ince's move will be beneficial for both as he oozes top-flight quality and the club need someone with a little more potential that Stuart Downing.

Now an established England under-21 international, Ince will need a Premier League platform if he is to push on and become the star for the national side that we're all hoping he can be.





Joleon Lescott: Man City to Aston Villa

The writing seems to be on the wall for Lescott at City. Despite clawing his way back into the side as of late, it's clear that they need something else.

Links with his hometown team have been flying around for years, but the England man has always kept himself just out of the club's reach, but at 30 years of age, and with City looking to reshape their squad, the time could be night for him to go home.

Villa will have to stay up first, though, but they will be having a clear out of their own. Darren Bent, Richard Dunne, Shay Given and Stephen Ireland are all thought to be moving on in the summer. Moves that will bring in fees in Bent and Ireland's case, and free up a substantial chunk of space on the wage bill.

Lescott would be a crucial man for Villa as they've struggled with defensive stability this season. A young and often patchwork defence has seen them devoid of confidence for large parts of the campaign, but recently they've been able to shut teams out in the dying moments.

But Ron Vlaar's injury problems, as well as his unsteady leadership have caused Villa problems and they have had to fast track Ciaran Clark and Nathan Baker into becoming regular starters and at times they've been overawed.

Lescott would be vital for the club, providing some much needed nous and experience in a side that is so desperately devoid of both.





Marouane Fellaini: Everton to Chelsea

Fellaini almost joined Chelsea in January but David Moyes has managed to hold on to his star midfielder for just a little longer.

A key figure in the Toffees midfield ever since he joined back in 2008, he's payed his dues long enough to deserve Champions League football, or at least a move to a club that can offer him that.

Unplayable at times, he has become a mainstay in the Belgian national team that have seen their stock rise considerably with the influx of their stars into the Premier League, he really deserves to be in a world class side.

A fee of £25 million has been mentioned several times and in truth, he's probably worth every penny. He has everything in his game and the chance to link up with Edin Hazard is probably to great to resist.

News came of Chelsea activating a clause in his contract at Everton were rife when the player had cancelled an autograph session at the side's megastore shortly after the shock 3-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup earlier this month and the speculation quickly mounted.

The money will be good for Everton, they may be losing a key player, probably their best, but their financial difficulties have been well documented and that fee will go a long way into Moyes' pocket for reinvestment.


~CaughtOffside » Chelsea FC~
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