Top 5 players set to be on the move
The end of the season is upon us and what a year it has been. We’ve seen Manchester City break numerous records on the way to winning another Premier League title, Juventus being actually challenged for the Serie A title and Real Madrid win a third consecutive Champions League. For the players the season is over and the focus turns to the world cup. However, their club teams are already making moves for potential transfers to strengthen their sides for the 18/19 season.
Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale has had a poor season in regards to his high standards. The Welshman moved to Real Madrid for a world record fee from Tottenham back in 2013. During his time at the Spanish club he’s won plenty of trophies, including four Champions Leagues. Having had much success at this level he is reaching a point in his career where he wants to be the main man and play regular football.
This season he has fallen out of favour with Zinedine Zidane and not had regular football. Gareth Bale has suffered a number of injuries over the years and that has effected his time at Real Madrid. This season was no different, picking up an injury early in the campaign. However, after recovering from that he never got a good run of games and even started on the bench in the Champions League final. Despite not starting in the Champions League he stole the show. Bale come on at 1-1 and scored arguably the best ever Champions League final goal and another to win the game 3-1. He made the difference that day and firmly put himself on the transfer market after the game.
During interviews after the game Gareth Bale put a lot of doubt about his future at the club. The club have still yet to release a statement about his future and this has put the likes of Manchester United on high alert. However, he is under contract at Real Madrid until 2022 and will demand a high asking price. Not many clubs will be able to afford the Welshman but a move looks on the cards.
Toby Alderweireld
Toby Alderweireld is considered one of the best central defenders in the Premier League. The Belgian moved to England after not making the cut at Atletico Madrid. He made a name for himself whilst on loan at Southampton but it was Tottenham that managed to secure his services permanently. This was another great bit of business done by Daniel Levy. Alderweireld has formed a great partnership with fellow country man Jan Vertonghen over the years but this season has seen him fall out of favour.
Toby Alderweireld and Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pochettino fell out during the season. The falling out is believed to be about the Spurs wage structure. Tottenham are not a team to give players astronomically wages and they’ve done a fantastic to still compete with the teams that do. However, this is beginning to make the first team suffer. Kyle Walker left last season for a similar reason and Alderweireld looks set to leave this summer as Levy looks to cash in with his contract running out next year.
Tottenham will not fight Alderweireld as he looks to leave, they’ve coped well this season with the signing of Davison Sanchez who has filled the hole well. With a deal of around £20 million expected to be accepted a lot of top clubs will be eyeing the Belgian up if they can make room for him on the pay roll. Manchester United are again the big favourites for his signature as Jose Mourinho continues his re-build.
Alvaro Morata
This summer saw Chelsea break their transfer record when they signed Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid. At the time the young Spaniard was one of the most sought after players in Europe. Morata has spent time at some fantastic clubs Real Madrid, Juventus and now Chelsea. However, it seems his a bad attitude that is holding him back. Whilst at Juventus Buffon commented on him saying that his head was holding him back. It is clear Morata has the potential to be a world beater but it’s just not happening at Chelsea.
Despite spending a lot of money on the Spaniard he hasn’t been the first choice striker for Chelsea for the majority of the season. Antonio Conte has opted for either Olivier Giroud or Eden Hazard for the second half of the season as he lost faith in Morata. It appears that Morata needs to be the main man wherever he goes and be treated very well to get the best out of him. He has lost confidence since his move to Chelsea and his performances have suffered because of that.
Alvaro Morata is expected to make a move this summer and Chelsea will take a loss to get rid of him. London doesn’t appear to be a place that Morata can live with the culture being too different than in the rest of Europe. It is expected he will make a move back to Italy. AC Milan and Juventus are reportedly interested with the Spaniard wanting a move back to Italy.
Mousa Dembele
Mousa Dembele is one of the surprise players that looks set to move this summer. Dembele has been a key cog to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad. The midfield general has the ability to control games with his strength and ball control. He doesn’t record many assists or goals but is a player that will fit into most squads around the world. He has one year left on his contract which gives Tottenham the option to let it run down but Daniel Levy may want to cash him in.
The reasons behind Mousa Dembele wanting to leave Tottenham are quite understandable and it’s more about prolonging his career rather than his demands not being met. The Premier League is very physical and at the age of 30 Dembele is starting to feel the effects. It is believed that he wants a move as he grows frustrated with the amount of injuries he is picking up and the extended time it is taking for him to recover.
There is still a chance that Mousa Dembele may sign a new contract with Tottenham but is waiting until after the World Cup to make any decision. If Dembele wants out he may have to move this summer as Mauricio Pochettino isn’t one to play players that don’t want to be at the club. There is reported interest from both China and Italy with discussions with Napoli already suspected.
Neymar
Neymar’s move from Barcelona to PSG shocked the world and completely changed the pay structure of football transfers worldwide. Now half decent players are going for £30-£50 million making the gap between the top teams and the rest even bigger.
Despite being the main man at PSG and earning a crazy amount of money it appears the Brazilian may be regretting the move to the French capital. Ligue 1 isn’t a very competitive league and Neymar has now experienced that. With the lack of competition in France the title is all but won come the Champions League knockout stages. This means the team isn’t very sharp and struggle against the European elite.
If Neymar manages to force a move there is very few clubs that will be finically able to sign the Brazilian. Neymar has expressed that he would like to play under Pep Guardiola once again but the English culture may prove a stumbling block for that move. The most realistic rumour is a move back to Spain. Real Madrid are known for signing the best players in the world and have continually broken the world record transfer fee over the years. With Madrid set to lose some of their top players room could be made for Neymar. The former Barcelona player seems keen for a move and Real Madrid is the most likely destination.
