Content Editor at Free Super Tips, Alex was born in the shadow of Old Trafford and is an avid Man Utd fan. After graduating from university he combined his love of football, writing and betting to join FST and now closely follows goings-on in all of the top European leagues.
One of the biggest dates on the European football calendar is upon us: The 1st of July. Transfer markets around the continent open for two months of speculation, big spending, and questionable deals.
Every single transfer window has a long running, big money saga involving a club that really doesn’t want to sell, a player who wants to leave, and a big spending club unwilling to stump up the extra cash demanded. You can be certain that this season’s will involve one of these players, because these are some of Europe’s hottest properties right now.
Nolito
Spain’s 29 year old forward has really stepped up his career over the last couple of years with Celta Vigo. The former Barcelona B Team player was handed his debut by Pep Guardiola in 2010 before moving on to Benfica and then back to Spain with Celta Vigo, and his performances this season earned him a call up for Spain at Euro 2016.
He’s expected to cost Manchester City around £14 million and could sign for the club as soon as next week as Pep Guardiola looks to rebuild his new squad.
Yaya Toure
One man that could be leaving Manchester City is the outspoken and occasionally sulky Yaya Toure. He has had a number of disagreements with his club over the past couple of seasons and the introduction of Pep Guardiola, who offloaded him from Barcelona, is unlikely to have heightened his spirits.
Paris Saint Germain was a favoured destination of his during his troubled times, but their interest looks to have cooled. Instead, Inter Milan and the big spending Chinese Super League clubs are thought to be the likely suitors involved.
Yaya Toure to Sign for Any Chinese Super League Club at 3/1 with SkyBet
Michy Batshuayi
Marseille’s 22 year old Belgian striker started attracting the attention of some big clubs during Marseille’s poor season in Ligue 1. Despite the rest of the team underperforming Batshuayi still managed to bang in 17 goals in the league and looks set for a move to the Premier League after scoring within minutes of coming off the bench against Hungary.
West Ham and Crystal Palace have each tabled £30+ million bids for the powerful young striker, whilst Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in signing him. However, Chelsea are expected to win the race for him, and he’s expected to join up with new manager Antonio Conte for a £33.2 million fee.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
This one is expected to be completed fairly soon after the transfer window opens and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s contract with Paris Saint Germain officially ends. The legendary Swedish striker netted 38 Ligue 1 goals last season and won his 11th league title in the last 13 years whilst doing so.
He will become Jose Mourinho’s second signing of the Manchester United era after Villareal defender Eric Bailly was signed for a fee in the region of £30 million.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Borussia Dortmund aren’t keen on letting the Armenian playmaker leave, but with just one year remaining on his contract and a £26 million bid on the table they look resigned to defeat. Manchester United are strongly believed to be within days of signing the 27 year old, who netted 23 goals for Dortmund last season, but Chelsea and Arsenal are apparently interested as well.
Juan Mata
Fan favourite Juan Mata’s future is in the balance after the appointment of Jose Mourinho. The Spanish playmaker was shipped out by Mourinho at Chelsea despite his cult hero status, and has gone on to become a favourite among the Manchester United supporters. This won’t bother Mourinho though, who could offload him again if he is deemed surplus to his own requirements.
Everton and Paris Saint Germain are favourites to sign him should Mourinho decide to sell, but nothing has been mentioned of him looking for a new club and he could well stay at Manchester United.
Juan Mata to Stay at Manchester United at 9/4 with SkyBet
Paul Pogba
France’s star 23 year old midfielder has long been the subject of transfer rumours, but this summer could be the season that Juventus finally give up. Rumours have been strengthened by Juventus signing AS Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic as well. The powerful young midfielder is being chased by any number of clubs, including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain, Manchester United, and Chelsea.
Where he will end up is anybody’s guess. Manchester United have been touted as the favourites to sign him but the player himself is thought to favour a move to Real Madrid, although the Spanish giants would have to offlay some players due to Financial Fair Play in order to shell out the proposed £80 million for him.
Paul Pogba to Sign for Manchester United at 6/4 with SkyBet
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Herikj Mkhitaryan isn’t the only Borussia Dortmund player to be attracting the interest of huge European clubs this summer. Dortmund’s incredibly fast striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang upped his technical ability last season and turned into one of the most lethal strikers on the planet as he bagged 39 goals in 49 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit.
A record like this doesn’t go under the radar, and there are a number of interested clubs. The two who are likely to battle it out are Manchester City and Real Madrid, although the latter have the advantage after Aubameyang himself revealed his dream to play in Spain. The 27 year old won’t come cheap though, with his estimated value being in the £70 million range.
Aubameyang to Sign for Manchester City at 11/8 with SkyBet
Romelu Lukaku
One of Everton’s prize assets could be on his way this summer after Everton’s poor league performance last season. The 22 year old Belgian striker is no stranger to a hefty transfer fee, with him already racking up over £50 million worth of transfer fees in his short career, but he could be in line for another one.
A number of clubs have been linked with him, including Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Paris Saint Germain, and Chelsea touted as potential destinations. Former club Chelsea are thought to be the favourites for his signature, but he’s unlikely to cost anything less than £40 million.
Romelu Lukaku to Sign for Chelsea at 11/4 with SkyBet
John Stones
Last summer’s long running transfer saga is expected to pick up where it left off on the 1st of July. Everton successfully warded off interest from Chelsea last summer despite the transfer request handed in by the young centre back, but Everton’s wretched campaign is unlikely to have made him want to stay at Goodison Park.
Manchester City are thought to be the prime candidates for his services as they look to revamp a shaky and injury prone back line, but Chelsea and Manchester United could also be persuaded to enter the race.
John Stones to Sign for Manchester City at 8/11 with SkyBet
N’Golo Kante
What a season he’s had. His defensive duties and tireless work rate in the centre of the park for Leicester brought him to everybody’s attention in Leicester’s famous Premier League title winning campaign. He was a low key £5.6 million signing last season, but is he moves this summer it will be headline news. His performances earned him a call up to France’s Euro 2016 squad, where he has played every game so far.
Kante is reported to have a £20 million release clause in his contract that, whilst providing a hefty profit margin for Leicester, is sure to attract any number of suitors. Arsenal, Paris Saint Germain, Spurs, Manchester City, and Real Madrid are all thought to be interested.
Riyad Mahrez
Unsurprisingly, another one of Leicester’s standout performers in their title winning campaign is being chased by the top clubs. He cost Leicester a measly £400,000 back in January 2014, but his 17 Premier League goals last season, his PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, and Premier League title winners medal have significantly increased his value in the transfer market.
There are no huge rumours being thrown about regarding his future, but Arsenal, Barcelona, and Paris Saint Germain are thought to be interested in the Algerian winger.
Mahrez to Sign for Barcelona at 8/1 with SkyBet
Saul Niguez
Atletico Madrid’s 21 year old winger Saul Niguez attracted attention from all of Europe when his incredible solo goal against Bayern Munich confirmed by Diego Simeone showed such faith in him. The youngster is thought to have turned down a new contract at Atletico Madrid though, which has sent top European clubs into buying mode.
Manchester United are frontrunners to shell out the estimated £34 million transfer fee, but a number of other Premier League clubs are interested in the right winger too.
Gonzalo Higuain
Napoli’s star striker has already expressed a desire to leave Naples and there is no shortage of interested parties. The 28 year old Argentine netted 38 times in 42 appearances in all competitions last season, and has told Napoli that he will not be renewing his contract under any circumstances. This means that Napoli have a decision to make: Cash in now or let him leave for free in two years time. Napoli could well go the latter route and refuse to accept any bids under his £72 million buyout clause.
Gonzalo Higuain to Stay at Napoli at 4/7 with SkyBet
Mario Gotze
Scorer of the World Cup winning goal and at one point the most expensive German player of all time has found his career stifled at Bayern Munich recently. He was signed three years ago from Borussia Dortmund for €37 Million but made just 14 Bundesliga appearances last season. He’s struggled in the Germany shirt so far in the Euros as well, but nevertheless there are a number of clubs interested in his undoubted talent.
Liverpool are the favourites for his signature, although a return to Dortmund isn’t out of the question either. Bayern Munich are holding out for €25 million though.
Mario Gotze to Sign for Liverpool at 2/1 with SkyBet
Cristiano Ronaldo
We might as well get this recurring rumour out of the way now. There haven’t been any reports so far, but you can be certain that rumours of a proposed move back to Manchester United will begin before long. But let’s be honest, he is very unlikely to be leaving Real Madrid, but if you fancy a cheeky flutter you can!
Cristiano Ronaldo to Sign for Manchester United at 6/1 with SkyBet
