Back page After what has appeared to be a relatively quiet transfer window here’s a look into some of the transfers that have been regulars on the back pages of newspapers. Some of the players feel they are worthy of displaying their talents in time of a higher prestige than they are currently at, whilst others have found themselves surplus to requirement at their current club. This is a look into ten of the summer’s deals that are rumoured to be on the cards of happening and where the players are likely to end up, at the time of writing (29th August 2012) none of the players have been transferred.
Fernando Llorente, 27, Athletic Bilbao
Clubs linked to: Arsenal, Juventus, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur.
The Spanish striker is currently one of the hottest properties available for transfer at the moment, since announcing he is not going to be renewing his contract with Bilbao having been at the Basque club his entire professional career. Having scored at least 15 goals in all competitions for each of the last four seasons it is easy to understand why. In the modern game where leagues and cup competitions are becoming more competitive and chances are harder to come by. When these chances are created it is vital that the person on the end of these are of the ability to ensure its turned into a goal. However Llorente isn’t just a striker that guarantees goals, he also possesses the ability to bring others into play and hold the ball up to relieve the pressure on the team he is playing for. Of all the teams linked with the player Tottenham are the ones that most likely need a player that has all these qualities however it is Juventus that is most likely to secure his signature.
Theo Walcott, 23, Arsenal
Clubs linked to: Chelsea, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Manchester City,
Following the departure of talismatic striker Robin van Persie, Arsenal could be set to lose another one of their first team regulars. With contract talks having appeared to stall, a number of clubs are lurking in the wings to take advantage of the situation. Regular shoppers at Arsenal, Man City could turn their attentions to the English winger following negotiations with Swansea over Scott Sinclair appear to have to an end as they look for a replacement for the recently departed Adam Johnson. New Liverpool boss is also on the lookout to add to his attacking options and Walcott’s pace would be a threat on either side of Rodgers’ preferred three-pronged attack. On a personal level, over the years Walcott has gone on to see many of his previous teammates go on to win numerous trophies whilst his remained in North London so should the burning desire of accumulating silverware come to the fore it would appear a move to the blue side of Manchester could be likely.
Kaka, 30, Real Madrid
Clubs linked to: AC Milan, Guangzhou Evergrande, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United
Kaka’s move to Real Madrid has been overshadowed ever since a certain Portuguese superstar moved to the Santiago Bernabau a month later, Ronaldo’s move eclipsed the fee paid for the Brazilian and his form has often meant that Kaka has struggled to exert his presence on ‘Los Blancos’. Following the incoming transfers of Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil, Kaka has found himself slip further away from a starting spot and often finds himself making fleeting appearances from the bench. This season has finally seen that the Madrid hierarchy are prepared to cut their losses on the attackive midfielder. However given his high wages this has proven to be harder than they thought, the teams that are able to afford to pay lucrative wages arguably do not need Kaka. Therefore this is leading to the possibility of a loan deal being arranged with Madrid having to fund part of his existing weekly pay packet. With this arrangement a deal is likely to be arranged with his former club Milan, however a permanent move to moneybags PSG cannot be ruled out with the deadline fast approaching.
Edinson Cavani, 25, Napoli
Clubs linked to: Chelsea, Juventus, Manchester City
With all three clubs linked with this talented Uruguayan in need of a striker they could do no wrong in trying to tempt Cavani away from the city of Naples. In southern Italy Edinson has netted 49 league goals since his arrival from Palermo in 2010. In addition to goals the Uruguayan provides his team with a focul point of which to build the attack around. His strong presence up front and cultured style of play means this is a striker that is equally adept with the ball at his feet and at heading the ball. Of all the clubs linked to Cavani Chelsea have expressed the strongest interest and have reportedly made a couple of bids. However the Italian champions have also rumoured to have made a formal enquiry as they look to add more goals instead of relying on a strong defence to help them defend their title. However with Llorente more likely to be the option the Turin club turn to it is likely London would be the destination for the in demand Uruguayan should he decide to leave Naples.
Nicklas Bendtner, 24, Arsenal
Clubs linked to: AC Milan, Benifca, Galatasaray, Malaga.
Having shone at the Euro’s this summer demand in the young Danish striker has increased, following his apparent status as surplus to requirement at his current club, Arsenal. After years of failing to live up to the height and score goals on a regular basis for Gunners, Arsene Wenger has appeared to believe it is now time to cash in on the academy product. With premiership clubs failing to display much interest after watching fail to consistently hit the net in the premier league it appears Europe would be a better match for a player of Bendtner’s ability. Clubs would be therefore hopeful the striker could replicate his international form in a continental league where he finds the net on a more regular basis. As a player Nicklas offers a high technical ability and a reportedly unusually high amounts of confidence something that could prove to be a positive in games where a lift to teammates is needed. After spending the last year on loan Arsenal are looking for a permanent deal, however the clubs displaying interest would prefer a more temporary arrangement like a loan deal as they try to balance their books ahead of the financial fair play so should a deal come to fruition a compromise somewhere shall be needed.
Stevan Jovetic, 22, Fiorentina
Clubs linked to: Arsenal, Chelsea, Juventus, Manchester City,
With Fiorentina rumoured to be in the market for another striker, the funds from selling the Montenegro star could help them with more options. Having already seen Vincenzo Montella overhaul a squad that underachieved last season they need to raise some more capital and no-one in their current squad would raise more than their star player. The board themselves have not openly said Jovetic is for sale but have said if an offer is tempting enough then they would accept. With a handful of Europe’s top clubs in the market for a striker then they may just turn to the man at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Arsenal are looking for a replacement for the departed van Persie, Chelsea are looking for a back up to Fernando Torres, Juventus’ title winning campaign based on a mean defence as opposed to scoring goals so they are looking to add goalscoring to their team and Man City are in the market for a striker with Dzeko maybe leaving come 1st September and Aguero currently injured with a knee injury.
Javi Martinez, 23, Athletic Bilbao
Clubs linked to: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City
The second high profile Basque player to feature in this article is the defensive midfielder/centre back. The player who can have equal effect in both midfield or defence would be an ideal signing for Barcelona who only have two regular centre halves with Carlos Puyol facing more and more injury problems. The player would be a similar sort of player to Javier Mascherano who would suit into their style of play of possession from the back. With Manchester City looking to experiment with different formations and being able to introduce them at a switch therefore a player of this versatility would be an ideal signing. However it is German giants that are favourites for this Spanish prodigy. He would add strength to their midfield and add strength in a formidable partnership with Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Andy Carroll, 23, Liverpool
Clubs linked to: AC Milan, Newcastle United, Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United
Following his high profile move to Liverpool from Newcastle things have gone from bad to worse for the striker. Firstly the goals dried up having hit the net eleven times in half a season at Newcastle Carroll has gone on to score just six league goals for the scouse club. Though despite his lack of goals the Geordie hasn’t found clubs after his signature hard to find. Illustrious names such as AC Milan have been linked to Carroll with some seeing him as a direct replacement for the departed Ibrahimovic. With mixed messages about Carroll’s future coming out of Anfield the striker will be within his rights to feel a bit disillusioned about his role to play in the new era at Liverpool. The player himself has said his preferred destination if he has to leave is a return to former club Newcastle United, the stumbling block with this move is they are not willing to pay anywhere near the fee they received in January 2011. This is one transfer saga that potentially could last right up till the window shuts, and it is not unforeseeable that Andy Carroll could still be a Liverpool player come the start of September.
Yann M’Vila, 22, Rennes
Clubs linked to: Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Zenit St Petersburg 
The latest defensive midfielder to come out of France with the label of the new ‘Patrick Vieira’. The difference with M’Vila is that he looks as though he could become close to filling the high appraisal that has so far come his way. M’Vila is a strong presence in the middle of the park and despite possessing the strength of being a ball winner is equally adept at linking the defence to the creative players by keeping his game simple yet effective. If you listen to player himself he is available for transfer within this window, having on a few times expressed his desire to leave the French club. The premiership is the more likely destination for the young frenchman with Arsenal having the strongest link to the midfielder who many see as a replacement for the recently departed Alex Song. However the money of Russian giants Zenit maybe enough to tempt the player to them.
Gaston Ramirez, 21, Bologna
Clubs linked to: Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur
The young Uruguayan provided one of the few highlights of their disappointing Olympic football campaign by scoring a splendid free kick against the United Arab Emirates. It is though his club exploits that have got clubs on alert for this talent. His ability is soon to outgrow his currently humble home in Italy in Bologna. A player of his technical ability is surely to grace bigger stadiums on a regular basis on the back of what they see in Serie A on a regular basis both Inter Milan and Juventus are after his signature. However the ‘old lady’s’ interest looks to have cooled off following their re-capture of the home grown Sebastian Giovinco. The biggest surprise is that it is English Premier League newcomers that have displayed the most concrete interest in the Uruguayan winger by tabling an offer that looked to be nearly completed until recent delays. It looks as though the player is leaving Bologna but maybe holding out for one of the traditional ‘bigger clubs’ to make an offer.
