The Summer Merry-Go-Round

Thanks to Football365 for this. What could, should, might and won’t happen this summer…

100) Frederic Piquionne
A host of departures from Fratton Park will occur over the summer and near the front of the exodus will be Piquionne. Where to? Anywhere in England but here.”I want to stay in England, but I do not know where,” he confirmed after the FA Cup final. Fulham or Blackburn are reasonable shouts.

99) Aruna Dindane
Set to snub Bolton, Wolves and Blackburn by leaving Portsmouth for Greece. “It is obvious I will choose Champions’ League football with Panathinaikos,” he helpfully declared two weeks ago.

98) Jack Wilshere
Not a transfer as such, but Bolton have made it publicly clear that they want to sign Wilshere on another six-month loan deal from Arsenal. It could prove a significant bit of business if it facilitates a far bigger transfer involving Arsenal and Bolton this summer…

97) James Beattie
If Tony Pulis remains as Stoke City boss, Beattie is a goner. The talk is of a move to West Brom.

96) Dave Kitson
And what goes for Beattie is repeated for Kitson. Quite what this level of disharmony says about Pulis’ management is a debate for another day.

95) Mikael Silvestre
One of three centre-halves poised to leave Arsenal this summer – Philippe Senderos and William Gallas being the others. Now’s a good time to mention that Sol Campbell is very much likely to be given a new deal. The only major doubt is whether the contract will be for one or two years.

94) Deco
Chelsea will be adhering to his request to return to his homeland for personal reasons. Expect three or four of the Stamford Bridge relative pensioners to depart during the coming months – including Hilario and the under-estimated Juliano Belletti.

93) Eduardo
Arsene Wenger declared in April that he was considering offering the striker a new deal but a parting would surely suit both parties. Eduardo needs regular football if he is to complete his recovery – and that isn’t on offer at the Emirates.

92) Sebastian Larsson
Lost his place in the Brum side towards the end of the season and revealed at the start of the month that he had received no word on a new contract. Newcastle are supposedly interested.

91) Albert Riera
The Spaniard has surely whinged and whined his way out of Anfield. Having extended his attack to the Liverpool board and English clubs in general, it’s impossible to foresee him staying in Blighty even if Rafa Benitez departs.

90) Nigel Reo-Coker
The midfielder he wants to stay and fight for a place at Aston Villa but his future will surely be indirectly decided by that of James Milner. A reputed target of Blackburn, Reo-Coker is the highest-profile of a number of low-profile fringe players – including Luke Young, Curtis Davies, Steve Sidwell and Nicky Shorey – who could depart Villa Park this summer

89) Alex Hleb
The bread boy is hankering after a move back to England after Barcelona realised that he doesn’t do very much.

88) Pape Diakhate
The Guardian says this lad is on Arsene Wenger’s wishlist. If you were also wondering, he’s a Senegal defender on loan at St Etienne and valued at £10m by Dynamo Kiev.

87) Roberto Mancini
He’ll only be jettisoned by City if a manager of Jose Mourinho’s calibre becomes available. And Jose is Madrid bound.

86) Ricardo Carvalho
Chelsea apparently believe they might receive £10m for Carvalho as they cull their squad in order to accommodate some fresh – and younger – blood. Carlo Ancelotti is believed to be intent on promoting Dutch youngster Jeffrey Bruma as cover behind John Terry and Alex.

85) Yaya Toure
A possible makeweight in a transfer for Cesc Fabregas? Kolo’s younger brother would be further up this list if only his agent hadn’t declared his client has no intention of moving to Arsenal, but could he be tempted by the millions on offer at Man City?

84) Philippe Senderos
Not good enough for Arsenal, not good enough for AC Milan, and not good enough for Everton, the Swiss defender has been reduced to selling himself in public. “I’m at an ideal age, I’m going to play at the World Cup and I am a free transfer – what could be better?” Form? Class? A lower-ranking Prem club are likely to overlook those issues, however.

83) Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
A rumour that just wont go away, even after his disastrous performances against United in the Champions League, is that the Dutchman might be on his way to Old Trafford. Only, we suspect, if AC Milan want to take a punt on Dimi Berbatov and United need some additional persuasion to do a deal.

82) Julian Speroni
Too good for the Championship, just as there are at least half-a-dozen goalkeepers plying their trade in the Prem despite being too bad for the top-flight.

81) Lassana Diarra
Reports in Spain claim that Diarra is back on Arsenal’s radar having fallen out of favour at Real Madrid. If not to Arsenal, a return to England is feasible.

80) Jermaine Jenas
He wasn’t good enough to be playing for Tottenham when they were merely a top-half club. Sandro’s imminent arrival should signal curtains for Jenas’ White Hart Lane career. A return to Newcastle has been mooted.

79) Benjani
Man City aren’t going to need much cash persuasion in order to part with Benjani so the veteran striker should appeal to a Premiership newbie.

78) Steven Defour
Remember how Sir Alex Ferguson wrote the youngster a letter wishing him well as he recovered from a broken foot last year? We haven’t. But we’d have Defour in the top fifty if only he hadn’t signed a contract extension with Standard Liege in March.

77) Brede Hangeland
Said he was offered the chance to transfer to Arsenal last summer. Arsene Wenger says he wasn’t. And so that’s probably that.

76) Marek Hamsik
The Napoli and Slovakia player is just one of many, many players being linked with Man City.

75) Mesut Ozil
As this is lad – an attacking midfielder for Werder Bremen who would cost in the region of £20m.

74) Micah Richards
Seemingly out of favour at City, Richards’ career has been stalled for so long that it would be better described as crashed. By our count, he’s been standing still for at least two years. Will player or club decide that a change of scene might just be the tonic?

73) Joe Hart
The Guardian claimed a few weeks ago that Arsenal were preparing a bid for Hart. However, and not least because City will require Hart at the start of next season to cover for the injured Shay Given, we’d literally eat a hat if he isn’t a City player on September 1.

72) Peter Whittingham
Obviously dependent on Cardiff’s success or otherwise in the playoff final. However, the financially fubared Welshmen will almost certainly have to sell someone if they don’t make the Premier League, and with a whopping 25 goals from midfield behind him, Whittingham will be just ahead of Joe Ledley.

71) Emmanuel Adebayor
The Togo striker seemed utterly uninterested towards the end of the season and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he is shipped out of Eastlands this summer as the club strives to go up another critical level. But who could afford Adebayor’s £140,000-a-week wages and who can see Adebayor abandoning his lucrative City contract to take a paycut?

70) Gio dos Santos
While Harry Redknapp has been praised for giving write-offs like David Bentley, Gareth Bale and Roman Pavlyuchenko a second go, we’d be astounded, astonished and flabbergasted if Dos Santos gets another shot. However, a decent showing at the World Cup might persuade someone to part with some hard-earned.

69) Ben Foster
So much for the expectation that he would be the next number one for country and country’s biggest club. Having accepted he has mistaked his way into a dead end at Old Trafford, Foster is joining Birmingham in a £6m move.

68) Matthew Upson
As he is one of the highest-paid players at Upton Park, it would cause a ripple of surprise inside F365 Towers were he to move on.

67) Anderson
Touted as a possible makeweight in a deal that would see Benfica winger Angel di Maria move to Old Trafford.

66) Gianluigi Buffon
There was much excitement a couple of weeks ago when the Italian goalkeeper said he was interested in a move to England. The old cynic in us, however, simply muttered ‘negotiation ploy’.

65) Hugo Rodallega
Too good for Wigan?

64) Charles N’Zogbia
Birmingham have already launched an £8m bid for the Wigan winger. It’s been rejected but we suspect that another million will do the business.

63) Christian Benitez
Ours is not to question why, but it does seem a little surprising that Brum are offering £8m for Christian N’Zogbia and yet have shied away from spending £7m on Benitez. “I am sorry to lose Chucho but the deal was just too rich for us,” said Alex McLeish at the end of the season.

62) Edin Dzeko
A fashionable piece of gossip in January, Dzeko has slipped off the rumour radar in the past couple of months. A shame, we liked the look of him.

61) Aiden McGeady
A bit like Roy Evans used to be linked with every vacant managerial post for a couple of seasons, a transfer window wouldn’t be fully open unless someone was predicting a move south for McGeady from Celtic. The latest we’ve heard is Sunderland, but we’ve heard it all before too.

60) Kevin Boateng
Another soon-to-be ex-Pompey player – though we’re not expecting Chelsea to make an offer.

59) Jermaine Beckford
His final act for Leeds was to score the goal that got them back into the Championship. A move to Everton is apparently a done deal, so we’ll find out next season if he’s as good as he thinks he is.

58) Roque Santa Cruz
A good target for some mid-ranking Prem clubs if, as expected, Santa Cruz is part of a mass clear-out at City. The stumbling block might be the not-small matter of the wage cut he’d have to take.

57) Luis Suarez
A possible for Tottenham and Manchester United if Ajax significantly reduce their ludicrous demand for £40m to do business.

56) Alan Hutton
A permanent transfer from Tottenham to Sunderland looked a certainty a few weeks ago but recent talk has suggested that a £5m price tag has put the deal in considerable doubt.

55) Mikel Arteta
Although Arteta is the early frontrunning contender to replace Cesc Fabregas if he leaves Arsenal, his agent says his client doesn’t want to leave Liverpool. Still, the proof will be in the pudding – Arteta is still yet to sign a new deal at Goodison Park.

54) Rio Ferdinand
Sir Alex hasn’t made himself the most successful manager in modern history without revealing a ruthless streak and, given his recent injury record, dumping Ferdinand this summer would be no more dramatic than Sir’s ousting of Jaap Stam almost ten years ago.

53) Kaka
Supposedly on Chelsea’s shopping list, he’d be far higher up our list if only we had a degree of expectation that a deal will happen. Still, we’ve been wrong in the past. Lots of times.

52) Martin Petrov
Just one of many, many players expected to leave City this summer. Tottenham could do worse.

51) Roman Pavlyuchenko
In betting terms, a move to Liverpool is an outside shot. The smart money will be on him remaining at Tottenham, however, after he finally began to make his mark at White Hart Lane towards the end of the season.

50) Robert Koren
Curiously released by West Brom at the end of his contract, the Slovenian should pop up at a lower-half Premier League side in the summer. Especially if he does, how you say, the business against England in the World Cup.
Prediction: Someone like West Ham or Stoke. Maybe Wolves. Maybe Newcastle.
49) Emile Heskey
Having ended the season as a bit-part player at Villa, he’ll be even further down the pecking order if Villa stump up the cash for the type of goalsniffing striker they require as cover for the overburdened Gabby Agbonlahor. Or move in for Carlton Cole.
Prediction: Will play his last game for England at the World Cup and has already played his last game for Villa. Filling a vacancy at Stoke?
48) Michael Carrick
Following his exposure as second-rate, it would be no surprise if Carrick takes a pedestrian stroll out of Old Trafford this summer if Sir Alex is reassured that Owen Hargreaves will make a full recovery and James Milner arrives. A possible makeweight in a deal for Milner, a return to Tottenham isn’t far-fetched either.
Prediction: Alas, it’s probably only our bewilderment at the Carrick myth that makes us think he will have to find a more suitable level of employment.
47) Michael Ballack
The crocked German will have to agree to a substantial pay-cut if he is to remain at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea will not be unduly concerned at the prospect of losing the German so long as Michael Essien is fit to start the new season. Another player whose future will also be influenced by Milner’s.
Prediction: Schalke.
46) Franck Ribery
Chelsea would surely welcome him with open arms, as would the two leading clubs of Manchester, regardless of the cost, but the suspicion is that Ribery will only leave Bayern Munich for Spain.
Prediction: Sorry, but Spain’s where it’s at.
45) Connor Wickham
It’s been widely reported that the Ipswich youngster will be bought by Tottenham for around £5m and then loaned straight back to the Tractor Boys.
Prediction: We know nothing about this tale apart from what we’ve read in the papers. So we’ll take the risk of sticking with that.
44) Steven Fletcher
One of the very few Burnley players to occasionally impress last season, Fletcher is understood to be a target for both Wolves and Birmingham. Bids of approximately £8m may already have been lodged according to some gossipers.
Prediction:A second Premiership season awaits. Most probably with Wolves.
43) Jamie O’Hara
Back at Tottenham but probably not for long. His stint a Portsmouth has given O’Hara a taste for regular football – “I have got to play football every week” – and that’s not something Tottenham will be able to offer.
Prediction: A bit of a punt, but why not West Ham?
42) Robert Green
It is a measure of how low English goalkeeping has fallen that Green’s availably has attracted so little interest. Arsenal, with their obvious vacancies, should be an obvious link, but just how much of an improvement would Green be on the discredited Almunia?
Prediction: Rather sadly, we’d wouldn’t be at all surprised if he ends up staying at West Ham.
41) David James
Another south-coast refugee with Pompey unable to afford his wages. Tottenham looked a good bet until Carlo Cudicini declared himself fully recovered from January’s motorbike accident. .
Prediction: Stoke? Maybe?
40) Kevin Doyle
A big fish in a small pond at Wolves, Doyle will only become available if a bid in excess of £10m is tabled. And that isn’t going to happen. He’s good, but…
Prediction: Staying at Wolves.
39) Andrey Arshavin
Sometimes brilliant, all too often absolutely anonymous. The departure of Cesc Fabregas leaves a space open for a playmaker at Arsenal, but the Russian is surely too inconsistent. The sale of two creative types in a summer might be too much, but should a big hitter come in with oodles of cash, a sale might be a wise decision.
Prediction: Chances are he’ll stay, but Italy or Real Madrid could come calling.
38) Ashley Cole
Talk of Cole moving out of Chelsea has gone quiet of late but there isn’t a club in the world – with perhaps the exception of Manchester United – who wouldn’t sign Cole if he became available.
Prediction: If Cole is to ever move to Spain, this is the summer.
37) Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The Swede is likely to be marginalized at Barcelona by the arrival of David Villa and is said to be attracting interest from Man City. More likely is a return to Italy.
Prediction: A big-club addict, Ibrahimovic might well fancy a move to AC Milan, Juventus or even a return to Inter.
36) Carlos Tevez
Rather than dampen down the speculation, Tevez has fuelled talk he might leave City by admitting he was “disappointed” by his first season at Eastlands. And those rumours of a rift with Roberto Mancini just won’t go away either. Could Real Madrid provide an attractive route out?
Prediction: Much will depend on how he performs in the World Cup’s shop window.
35) Alexandre Pato
The Times have been wrong whilst gossiping about Chelsea in the past but the paper sounded confident the other week when it announced, ‘Carlo Ancelotti has identified Pato, the AC Milan striker, as his main transfer target for the summer’. A rumour to keep an eye on.
Prediction: Ancelotti’s interest might be true but we’re struggling to believe Milan will let him go.
34) Kenny Dalglish
It’s a long shot, but the possibility of Dalglish taking over at Anfield on an interim basis if Benitez departs has already been talked up on the backpage of one newspaper. It does make some sense, too, because how will Liverpool be able to attract a manager of substance if their ownership remains in limbo?
Prediction: It would be silly to be bet on Dalglish returning but we’ve also heard sillier ideas.
33) Sandro
21-year-old Brazilian midfielder will join Tottenham later this summer at the end of the Copa Libertadores…
Prediction: A done deal.
32) Scott Parker
The only West Ham player not put up for sale by the club’s disgruntled owners, Parker has since said he wants to stay but added that the matter is “out of my hands”. Somebody, surely, will test both Parker and West Ham’s resolve.
Prediction: A 50-50 call.
31) Roy Hodgson
The frontrunner contender to replace Rafa Benitez is the Spaniard does jump off Lverpool’s sinking ship, he’d also be the obvious choice to replace Fabio if the Don opts out of England. .
Prediction: In percentage terms of likelihood: 85% staying at Fulham, 10% going to Liverpool, 5% succeeding Fabio.
30) Javier Mascherano
The Argentine has put his contract talks on hold and has since revealed that his family is not happy living in Liverpool. Oh, and with Yaya Toure agitating for a move out of Barcelona, could there be a vacancy for a defensive-midfielder at the Nou Camp
Prediction: A bit too obvious?
29) Frank Lampard
The Daily Mail has got itself into a considerable tizz of late talking up the possibility of Lampard moving to Real Madrid if and when Jose Mourinho takes over at the Bernabeu. Would Chelsea say no to a £30m bid for a 31-year-old? Bigger question: Would Real really bid £30m for a 31-year-old who turns 32 in June?
Prediction: Ms Bleakley can sleep easy: We’d be very surprised if Lampard isn’t still residing in London at the start of next season.
28) Rafa Benitez
If this list was compiled a few weeks ago, then the Spaniard would have been at the sharp end of the top ten. However, he’s tumbled down the order in recent days on account of the growing impression that he really is set to stay at Anfield. But does that mean Torres, Gerrard and co are less or more likely to stay?
Prediction: If the rumours are true, managerial stability may not produce playing-staff stability.
27) Robbie Keane
Just two years after being heralded as the man to spearhead Liverpool’s first title since the days of Maggie Thatcher, Keane finds his career in limbo. Spurs, despite Harry Redknapp’s protestations to the contrary, will surely sell if a suitable offer is made – and it is reported that Wolves and Sunderland won’t be shy in coming forward.
Prediction: Another step down the Premier League pecking order.
26) Robinho
Remember him? The Brazilian is still officially a Manchester City player on loan at Santos but a permanent parting will occur over the next three months. City will just be hoping that his fee rises after he appears in the World Cup shop window.
Prediction: Back to Brazil.
25) Angel di Maria
Almost all of the Premier League big hitters – Chelsea, Man City, Man United and Liverpool – have been linked with the Benfica winger, but the expectation in his native Argentina is that he’ll end up at Real Madrid instead. We’ll see.
Prediction: We’ll see how he does at the World Cup for starters.
24) Jerome Boateng
Set to be the first of many arrivals at Manchester City during a frantic summer of activity. A minimum expectation is of at least 10 transfers involving City. Add in all the small-fry deals and it would be no surprise if the figure hits twenty.
Prediction: Transfer will be announced at the start of June.
23) Manuel Almunia
Was anyone fooled by the claim he missed the end of his latest error-prone, saveless season with a wrist injury? Though Arsene Wenger has made defensive reinforcement his priority, he will surely not be able to overlook the need to purchase a reliable goalkeeper.
Prediction: Arsene’s myopic but he can’t be blind. The real story – and mystery – is who Arsenal will sign as his first-choice replacement.
22) William Gallas
Arsenal – through Peter Hill-Wood’s publication of choice, The Daily Star – have branded Gallas’ wage demands as “extravagant”, which seems a polite way of declaring they won’t be paying. Unofficial estimates reckon that, with Gallas demanding a two-year deal, keeping the 32-year-old would cost the Gunners around £8m. No wonder they’re politely declining…
Prediction: Leaving for Paris St Germain.
21) Gary Cahill
With Cahill admitting that he is open to a move up football’s ladder, Arsene Wenger denying the claim of Brede Hangeland that Arsenal bid for him last year, and the Jack Wilshere loan deal possibly greasing the wheels, Cahill is the obvious candidate to replace Gallas at the Emirates.
Prediction: The obvious candidate but Wenger’s first preference is to look abroad. We’d be surprised if Cahill is the one and only centre-half recruited, but we wouldn’t be surprised if he arrives at the Emirates as one of two new defenders.
20) Craig Bellamy
Talk of a transfer to Tottenham has been gossiped ever since he high-fived with Harry Redknapp after City’s defeat in the Champions League Qualification final. Doubtless, too much has been read into that incident, but Bellamy rarely puts down firm roots and rumours that all is not harmonious in his relationship with Roberto Mancini abound.
Prediction: Moving on. Again.
19) David Silva
Constantly touted as a possible Premier League newcomer, Silva is expected to be put up for sale (unofficially or otherwise) this summer on account of Valencia’s crippling debts. Which remain crippling despite the injection of cash from Barcelona in return for David Villa. The gossipers claim that Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United are all interested.
Prediction: But he’ll only consider England if neither Madrid nor Barcelona want him.
18) Sir Alex Ferguson
The old boy has repeatedly insisted of late that he has no plans to quit, but in the back of our mind we can still see the words of Philip Cornwall last year when he mused that the most likely date of Sir Alex’s retirement was when nobody expected it and he could catch the press on the hop. Hmm. So this summer then?…
Prediction: We’re not expecting it, or even predicting it, but stranger things have happened than the World Cup being rudely interrupted by a bombshell announcement from Old Trafford.
17) Fabio Capello
The England boss has committed until 2012 but circumstances frequently trump commitment. England are one of a small group of teams who are genuine contenders to win the World Cup and were they somehow to prevail against Spain and Brazil then who would begrudge Capello u-turning and walking away?
Prediction: Alas, it’s an unlikely possibility.
16) Luca Modric
In the space of less than a week midway through May, Modric was talked up as the ‘number one transfer target’ of both Chelsea and Manchester United. English gossip doesn’t come any more flattering. But Tottenham’s status as a Champions League club should be sufficient to rebuff any pursuit – Spurs can’t afford to lose their top players now.
Prediction: Staying at Spurs – possibly with a new-deal sweetener.
15) Yossi Benayoun
Part of the Anfield exodus? A reputed target for Tottenham, Benayoun’s future may depend on whether Rafa Benitez stays or goes. An under-appreciated player, he was also an under-used player last season.
Prediction: A move out of Liverpool.
14) Shaun Wright-Phillips
Roberto Mancini likes his inside-out wingers so it’s certainly possible that SWP will begin next season on the left of City’s attack instead of Craig Bellamy. It’s slightly more likely, however, that SWP will be shipped out and a far superior product brought in.
Prediction: West Ham? They’ve history for deals such as these…
13) Sergio Aguero
Talk of Aguero moving to England has been wrapping up fish and chips for over a year and it’s surely this summer or never for the striker as far as the Prem is concerned. “In June I will try to do what is best for the club and if they need the money then that would be a case of me leaving,” he conceded a few weeks ago. With the player indicating Chelsea are the obvious possibility but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he moves to Real Madrid as a replacement for the outbound Karim Benzema.
Prediction: We’re guessing Madrid.
12) Steven Pienaar
Under-rated midfielder has yet to sign a new deal at Everton but has talked up the prospect of staying at Goodison Park in recent weeks. Will the club’s Player of the Year award help convince? Maybe, just maybe, a big offer from Tottenham might cause a rethink, and it’s not inconceivable that Manchester United will add him to their list of targets, but….
Prediction: A new deal at Everton.
11) Carlton Cole
Technically up for sale after the West Ham owners announced they would listen to offer for any of their players with the exception of Parker, Cole’s form for the Hammers ought to bring him an upgrade during the summer. A replacement for Emile Heskey at Villa?
Prediction: £10m transfer to Villa Park.
10) Karim Benzema
Wayne Rooney has already called upon Manchester United to sign one striker this summer – and that was a call made in the expectation that Dimi Berbatov will remain at the club. In the unquestionable need for extra firepower to be provided, Benzema is a decent bet given that United were interested a year ago and he may be available for a reduced fee this summer.
Prediction: We wouldn’t rate his chances of joining United at anything above 30% but we wouldn’t have any other striker any higher either.
9) Marouane Chamakh
The latest in a long line of France-to-Arsenal transfers since Monsieur Wenger took charge in North London. The deal is signed, sealed and will delivered in the first week of June.
Prediction: A done deal: He’ll be at Arsenal for the new season.
Stephen Ireland
The question isn’t whether Ireland will be staying at Manchester City but where he will be going. Too good a player, surely, to slip out of the elite, and it’s not difficult to foresee him staying in Manchester with United. They are on the look-out for an attacking, goalscoring midfielder and if Milner cannot be lured from Villa then Ireland may be the best available alternative.
Prediction: We wouldn’t put money on it, but…a move to United.
7) Jack Rodwell
Chelsea reputedly bid big for Rodwell in January and are likely to make another offer this summer as they seek to fill their quota of English players. But rumour has it that both Arsenal and Manchester United are also in the hunt – with United possibly even viewing Rodwell as a direct successor to the sideline-prone Rio Ferdinand. Makes sense to us.
Prediction: History repeated and Everton’s latest bright young thing to transfer to Old Trafford.
6) Steven Gerrard
Could he? The official line from Anfield is that he will not, but what happens if Real Madrid offer the £30m they have reputedly set aside to bring the Liverpool captain to Spain? The official line from F365 is that we’re far from convinced Gerrard will still be a Liverpool player next season. It’s not as if he has rubbished the rumours, is it?
Prediction: On the balance of probability, then we have to predict ‘stay’. But in percentage terms, it’s only 80: 20.
5) Joe Cole
Out of contract at Chelsea and seemingly on his way out of Stamford Bridge. Hitch number one: Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t seem to rate him. Hitch number two: Cole seems to have rated himself too highly in negotiations. Man City, Man United and even Arsenal have all been mentioned as possible destinations, but the favourite has to be a reunion with Harry Redknapp at Spurs.
Prediction: All the signs point to White Hart Lane.
4) Dimi Berbatov
It just hasn’t happened for Berbatov at Old Trafford and Ferguson’s body language during the Bulgarian’s tortured performance at Sunderland spoke of a final straw being broke. He’ll be gone just as soon as United receive a reasonable offer.
Prediction: Going, going…probably to Germany.
3) James Milner
This one has started early with Man City tabling a £20m offer for the Aston Villa midfielder on Wednesday night. Manchester United are not expected to be shy in coming forward either. Aston Villa insist they will not sell – just as they did when they chased off Liverpool from Gareth Barry a couple of summers ago – but the widespread expectation is that they will cash in sooner rather than later.
Prediction: Villa to eventually let go after a bidding war.
2) Cesc Fabregas
Can Arsene afford to let him go? Can Barcelona fund an offer that is too good to refuse? Who will blink first? Just what is the point of the contract? So many questions, so much fuel for the early favourite to be the saga of the summer. Fabregas has youth on his side, Barcelona have a permanent appeal and Arsenal have a concrete contract. Could a compromise be reached that will see Cesc stay on for another year?
Prediction: There’s still a long way to go in this particular tale despite Fabregas telling Arsenal he wants out.
1) Fernando Torres
Under contract but reportedly considering his future on account of Liverpool’s declining fortunes both on and off the pitch. Is it really true that he is more likely to stay if Rafa Benitez goes? A confirmed target of Manchester City, he’s also on the radar of Barcelona and Chelsea. As £80m is the going rate for players of his class leaving the Prem, Liverpool really might be tempted to cash in on a player who made just 20 league starts last term.
Prediction: The deal of the summer. Ending in a bidding war victory for Manchester City.