5 players we would love to see in the Premier League next season
As all football fans are aware, right now the financial muscle able to be flexed by the clubs of the English Premier League is largely unmatched outside of the two Spanish giants, Real Madrid and Barcelona. If it ever needed affirming, last summer’s transfer window – the one that saw Paul Pogba move from Juventus to Man United for a world-record £89m – was absolute proof.
Outside of maybe two or three players in the world, nobody is out of reach for the Premier League’s financial monsters.
This summer’s transfer window is almost guaranteed to see more drawn-out sagas and huge transfer fees. So which players would we all love to see join the ranks of the Premier League this year?
#1 Raphael Varane
Often, football fans don’t tend to see defenders as marquee type signings for their club. Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane would certainly be an exception to that rule.
Still only 23 years old, the French international has impressed observers and fellow professionals alike since breaking into Real’s first team in 2013, his technique, strength and speed earning him comparisons to the legendary Spanish defender Fernando Hierro.
A good showing in last year’s European Championships could have put even more spotlight on him but unfortunately, he was ruled out of the tournament with a thigh strain.
While it seems almost inconceivable that Real Madrid would want to part with Varane, his current contract runs until 2020, and his fellow central defenders Sergio Ramos and Pepe are both ageing. However, the player himself has admitted that he supported Man United as a child and also has a strong relationship with Jose Mourinho, his former boss at Los Blancos.
With both Chris Smalling and Phil Jones out with injuries and United in need of top-class defenders, perhaps a swap deal involving longtime Real target David de Gea could finally bring Varane to Manchester?