Ten surprise signings in store before the transfer window closes.
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10) Mattia Destro to Real Madrid
With Real Madrid known to be in the market for a new striker to provide cover for Karim Benzema, it could be that they will move to rival the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea for the signing of AS Roma forward Mattia Destro. The 23-year-old was in fine form for Roma last season with 13 goals in just 20 games, establishing himself as one of the most promising players in Serie A. A move to the Premier League could still be possible, but Carlo Ancelotti is said to be a big fan of his fellow Italian.
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As Arsenal consider a number of options to replace the injured Olivier Giroud upfront, AC Milan youngster M’Baye Niang has emerged as a somewhat surprise target for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who rates the French striker highly. Still only 19 years of age, it may be that Niang could move on loan to the Emirates Stadium as something of an emergency measure if the club cannot land their other top targets.
8) Morgan Schneiderlin to Arsenal
Despite being strongly linked with Tottenham Hotspur, Morgan Schneiderlin could still be on his way to Arsenal as they eye a new signing in the defensive midfield position. The Gunners have been linked with a whole host of players in this position for much of the summer, and are now said to be ready to meet Southampton’s £27m asking price for the French international to bring him to the Emirates Stadium before the transfer deadline.
Another striker on Arsenal’s radar is Manchester City outcast Alvaro Negredo, whom the club are looking to offload before the end of the summer in a bid to raise funds to sign Radamel Falcao from AS Monaco. The Spaniard scored 23 goals last season but ended the campaign in poor form and now looks to be out of favour at the Etihad Stadium, with Real Madrid and Valencia also said to be monitoring his situation. Still, he could make a useful signing for the Gunners, and they may pounce on City’s desire to sell so they can land one of their top targets and not breach Financial Fair Play rules.
6) John Obi Mikel to Liverpool
With Liverpool missing out on Barcelona and former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song as he made the loan move to West Ham United for the 2014/15 season, it has emerged that Brendan Rodgers could try an £11m bid for Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel. The Nigerian international has not always been a regular in his long career at Stamford Bridge, and it may be that the club will be willing to let him go for a reasonable offer this summer, with Liverpool keen to bring in an experienced player to play just in front of their back four.
5) Javier Hernandez to Chelsea
Despite strong links with the likes of Juventus and Real Madrid, it may be that Chelsea will look to swoop for out-of-favour Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez as they eye a replacement for Fernando Torres upfront. Queens Park Rangers striker Loic Remy is said to be their first choice, but Jose Mourinho is supposedly a fan of the prolific Mexican international as an alternative in that position, in what could prove to be one of the most surprising transfer deals of the whole summer.
With Arsenal in the hunt for a top class defensive midfielder, it could be that they will revive their interest in Wolfsburg’s Brazilian star Luiz Gustavo, whom they were also strongly linked with last summer. The 27-year-old has a release clause of around £26m and could prove a bargain for the Gunners as they eye an improvement on the likes of Mathieu Flamini and Jack Wilshere to partner club captain Mikel Arteta in the middle of the pitch.
3) William Carvalho to Real Madrid
One of Arsenal’s long-time targets looks set to get away, however, with Real Madrid stepping up their interest in Sporting Lisbon starlet William Carvalho. Chelsea and Manchester United have also been linked with the 22-year-old Portuguese international for much of this summer, but Real are now on the lookout for a new signing in the defensive midfield role after agreeing to sell Xabi Alonso to Bayern Munich. Carvalho is one of the most highly-rated young midfielders in Europe and could prove a good addition for the Champions League winners.
Another surprise name being kept in mind by Chelsea is Fiorentina striker Mario Gomez. The former Bayern Munich man has been a goal machine for club and country in recent times, though he missed Germany’s World Cup win this summer after an injury-hit first season in Serie A last term. With Fernando Torres moving on loan to AC Milan and some doubts over Loic Remy as he undergoes a medical at Stamford Bridge – he failed a similar test for Liverpool earlier this summer – Gomez could be a great addition for the Blues if they choose to step up their interest in him.
In a highly surprising twist, it has emerged in the last couple of days that Manchester United youngster Adnan Januzaj is unhappy at Old Trafford under new manager Louis van Gaal. The Belgian starlet is one of the most highly rated young players in the world and looked superb for the club last season, but now faces competition for a place from new big-money signing Angel Di Maria. Arsenal are known for their fondness for signing the best young talent, and could try their luck with an audacious bid for the immensely gifted 19-year-old before the end of the summer. Januzaj would no doubt be an expensive purchase for the north London side, though they may also be keen to take the player on loan, with attacking midfielders needed if Alexis Sanchez moves upfront in Olivier Giroud’s four-month absence through injury.
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