5 most wanted players in the 2015 summer transfer window
Post-season might not be a time to relish for football aficionados and weekends are a lacklustre affair with live football action curtailed for a couple of months. The only thing that saves them from this perpetual ennui during the summer is either continental events (like Euros or World Cup) or the fabled transfer rumours. They start as early as February and go up to deadline day as sports portals and blogs make merry.But some transfer stories transcend the boundaries of rumours and move into the pastures of done deals, deals which give fans reasons to rejoice and celebrate their club and players in the off-season.We look at some of the most mouth-watering and most probable prospective transfer stories of the upcoming summer involving some of the hottest prospects in world football.
#5 Mats Hummels - Borussia Dortmund
Probably the most-sought after centre back of recent times and also the most talked about player in worldwide transfer columns, the World Cup winning defender has been chased by all the big clubs of European football for a dreadfully long time. He is the prime time story of every transfer window, but somehow Hummels is yet to make that much-awaited move away from Borussia Dortmund. This summer might be the most opportune time for his suitors to end this long-standing episode.
Why is he so sought-after?
Hummels is irrefutably the most accomplished and complete centre back in the world right now. Height, aerial ability, tackling prowess, strength, tactical know-how, passing ability and experience – you name a quality and the German possesses it in his repertoire. He was the foundation around which the successful Dortmund side was built by Jurgen Klopp at the turn of this decade.
The German quickly made a name for himself during Dortmund’s consecutive Bundesliga triumphs and their scintillating run to the final of the Champions league in 2012/13. He was also the commander-in-chief in defence for the German national team during Euro 2012, playing every minute of Germany’s campaign.
Last year’s World Cup reaffirmed Hummels’ stature and quality as he played a pivotal role in Germany’s sensational triumph. Hummels scored the winner against France in the quarter-final and then drew plaudits from all quarters for his performance against Brazil in the semi-final. There might be a number of defenders who might match up to his experience and ability, but Hummels is the only one who is still unsettled and looking to move away from his current club.
Will Dortmund sell him?
Hummels’ current contract with Dortmund runs out in the summer of 2017 and with no news of any imminent contract extension, Hummels might have finally decided on his future. If that is the case, Dortmund would be itching to cash in on him rather than lose him on a Bosman and repeating the same mistake they made with Robert Lewandowski.
The summer of 2015 might well turn out to be the time in which newspapers have the honour of printing a done-deal on Mats Hummels.
Market value in the summer
€35-45 million
With just a year left on his current contract, Hummels might not fetch an amount comparable to what was being offered last season, but the fierce competition between big clubs for his signature might shoot up the price. Dortmund would love to make as much money as possible with this deal, but they will also be wary of losing out on everything if the deal doesn’t go through this summer.