The finest players from the middle of the park linked with a switch to England.
With the 2013/14 season drawing to a close around Europe, the transfer rumour mill is truly up and running and several top names are being linked with a move to the Premier League.
So CaughtOffside has picked out the 10 best central midfielders that could be coming to England this summer.
Lars Bender, Bayer Leverkusen
A more defensively minded midfielder that likes to operate in front of the back four and compliments a more attacking partner in the middle very well – think Fernandinho and Yaya Toure at Manchester City.
Arsenal are thought to be keen on the German, although Bender himself has admitted he’s not sure if he’s ready to leave Leverkusen just yet.
Source: Daily Mail.
William Carvalho, Sporting Lisbon
At the start of the 2013/14 season not many outside of Portugal would have heard of this 22-year-old, but Carvalho’s performances for Sporting has catapulted his reputation.
Former Manchester United manager David Moyes was a big fan and sent several scouting parties to watch the Portuguese star and his successor Louis van Gaal is also thought to be interested.
Source: Metro.
Cesc Fabregas, Barcelona
Having left the Gunners in 2011 for his boyhood club, things haven’t quite panned out as Fabregas would perhaps have hoped upon his return to the Nou Camp.
The 27-year-old’s time at the club has coincided with a slight dip in form and the Barca fans have even booed the Spaniard this term and both Manchester City and United would be willing to give him a get out option.
Source: Independent.
Clement Grenier, Olympique Lyon
An extremely versatile midfielder who’s talents are perhaps somewhat wasted in a Lyon side in decline, as super rich clubs such as AS Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain overtake them in Ligue 1.
With the ability to play centrally, as a No.10 or even on the flanks, the 23-year-old brings a lot of options and Newcastle United have been keeping tabs on the Frenchman.
Source: Guardian.
Sami Khedira, Real Madrid
Having spent almost an entire season on the sidelines with a cruciate ligament injury, Khedira’s profile has somewhat waned in recent times.
However, let’s not forget that the Red Devils tried to sign the Germany international in 2013 and now Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is keen for a reunion at Stamford Bridge.
Source: Metro.
Toni Kroos, Bayern Munich
This has been one of the longest running transfer sagas and one that looks like it could come to a conclusion soon as Kroos is entering the last year of his current deal at the Allianz Arena.
Like Grenier the 24-year-old is extremely versatile, although of a better class than the France international, and United are hoping to improve their fortunes by signing the Bayern star.
Source: Daily Express.
Paul Pogba, Juventus
Upon leaving Old Trafford in 2012 Pogba was nothing more than a promising talent, now two years and two Serie A titles later and the 21-year-old is among the best midfielders on the planet.
The Frenchman will play a key role for his nation at the 2014 World Cup this summer and several sides are hoping to exploit the decline in Italian football to tempt the youngster away.
Source: Mirror.
Ivan Rakitic, Sevilla
What a year it has been for this Croatia international, who has kept Sevilla’s good form going despite financial difficulties and the sale of Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo to City last summer.
Rakitic has been a shining light for the Spaniards, proving his class with dominant performances against Real Madrid and Benfica in his side’s triumphant Europa League final win.
Source: Mirror.
Alex Song, Barcelona
A little like fellow Gunners and Barca teammate Fabregas, Song hasn’t quite found life in Catalonia as easygoing as he’d probably have hoped for.
Competing with the likes of Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Xavi for a place in the starting XI has proven difficult and a return to England could beckon.
Source: Sky Sports.
Kevin Strootman, AS Roma
Last, but by no means least, is this Netherlands international who had been greatly impressing at Roma before a cruciate ligament injury struck him down.
However, Strootman’s strong bond with fellow Dutchman and current international head coach van Gaal makes a switch to United seem all the more plausible.
Source: Goal.
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