A busy summer of transfer dealing always follows a major tournament and already in 2014, we’ve seen Enner Valencia, Alexis Sanchez and David Ospina complete moves to the Premier League. But who will follow them? Here are five players who could switch to the Premiership after starring roles at the World Cup.
Mats Hummels
Manchester United are third favourites at 6.00 with Betfair to win the Premier League this season and manager Louis Van Gaal is linked with the majority of available talent in the wake of Brazil 2014.
With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic having left the club, there is a serious need for a replacement centre half and German World Cup Winner Hummels is believed to be a long term target. The 25 year old defender was a solid performer at the back for Germany while scoring two vital goals along the way to the final but it’s felt that Barcelona may prove to be a bigger draw for the Borussia Dortmund star.
Divock Origi
19 year old Lille striker Origi attracted media attention when he replaced Romelu Lukaku to score Belgium’s only goal in their group stage win against the Russians. Almost as soon as the ball hit the back of the net, Liverpool and Spurs were linked with the player’s signature but having lost out on Loic Remy, it’s expected that Brendan Rodger’s side will now complete the purchase.
Origi was described as a teenage scoring sensation by one area of the press but his overall record in France suggests there is work to be done if he is to become an Anfield regular. In 40 games for Lille, he has found the net on just six occasions and while he often plays on the wing in Ligue 1, that’s a record that needs improvement.
Islam Slimani
Algerian forward Slimani may have the record for having the highest number of links to Premiership sides this summer. Stoke City, West Ham, Newcastle, Everton and Crystal Palace are just five of the names mentioned in connection with a signature but any move has stalled amidst reports that current club Sporting Lisbon are holding out for a fee of £10m.
Slimani was one of the stars of a positive World Cup for the Algerians and his two goals sparked the interest. £10m may be seen as too much for a man who has scored eight goals in 26 league games in Portugal but expect further negotiations ahead of the new campaign.
Memphis Depay
20 year old PSV winger Depay scored twice for the Netherlands in Brazil and his pace would be an undoubted asset for any Premier League side. Manchester United and Liverpool have been linked but according to some areas of the press, Spurs are the front runners in this particular chase.
If Depay does travel to White Hart Lane, he will face competition from Andros Townsend and Nacer Chadli so overall, Old Trafford seems a more likely destination.
Arturo Vidal
Once again, it’s Manchester United leading the way in the chase for Vidal who featured for Chile in Brazil. Louis Van Gaal will, however, face competition from Liverpool and possibly Chelsea so it’s a question of whether the 27 year old will sacrifice Champions League football this season in the hope that United will be challenging for the Premier League title once again.
Current club Juventus were said to be demanding in excess of £40m for the playmaker but the key to the deal could be Manchester United’s Nani who may head to Turin as part of the overall fee.