Whose on the Move

With the summer transfer window approaching, it is time to take a look at some of the players who will be on the move at some point this off season. A number of highly rated youngsters appear to be on the move this summer with the possibility of other big money moves.

Eden Hazard

Its only a matter of time before the young Belgian star leaves France and Lille for a bigger club and league. Inter Milan and Arsenal are currently rumored to be interested in the 20 year old midfielder who scored 7 goals in 35 appearances this season. Lille are not a big enough club to be able to hold onto their starlet once the bigger clubs start making their advances but the club hopes that guaranteed first team appearances in the Champions League for the potential French champions next season will keep Hazard in the fold for at least one more season.

Alexis Sanchez

The fast Chilean winger has been in superb form for Italian side Udinese this season finding the net on 12 occasions which has made him one of the most desired players in Europe this summer. Manchester City have reportedly already opened talks with Udinese and a deal seems close to being complete. Manchester City’s cross town rivals, Manchester United have long had their eye on the Chilean international. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly had his eye on Sanchez since he was a youngster, even before his move to Italy. But with United likely to make a move for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young, a move for Sanchez does not seem to be on the books. Interested in Sanchez has increased recently with Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti throwing his club’s name into the race by urging the club to sign the young winger. Chelsea has also been rumored in the winger and with this much interest in Sanchez it is unlikely Udinese will be able to hold on to him.

Erik Lamela

River Plate’s highly rated Argentine midfielder has long been the subject of transfer rumors starting when he was 12 years old when River rejected Barcelona’s 300,000 Euro offer for the too “young to be called a youngster” player. Lamela is no longer a child and now at 19 he is once again drawing the attention of European giants. Lamela has become a key player for River Plate in recent years and the club has reportedly sold the player to a group of business men for 14 million Euros, who will sell the player once more in June. Juventus seem favored to secure Lamela’s signature this summer, but the Argentine wonderkid will end up somewhere in Europe this summer.

Paulo Henrique (Ganso)

Ganso is a member of Brazil’s current crop of wonderkids and the Santos midfielder is the prize of a reported battle between the Milan sides. The future Brazilian star has said that he will be signing for either Inter or AC with a move for the 21 year old playmaker likely to take place this summer.

Neymar

Neymar is another member of Brazil’s budding youth system and is Ganso’s teammate at Santos. The flashy striker, who has been compared to Brazilian great Pele, is unlikely to stay in Brazil much longer. Chelsea tried to sign the youngster last summer, but Neymar rejected their offer in order to continue to grow in Brazil. He recently signed a new contract with Santos that contains a 45 million Euro release clause and it is unlikely that Santos will except anything less for their star.

Michel Bastos

Yet another Brazilian that could be on the move, but this one his already in Europe. Bastos, a winger at Olympique Lyonnais, is in the crosshairs of rebuilding Italian giant Juventus but it appears that negotiations between the two clubs of the player’s future have stalled. Bastos has said that he is looking for a new challenge away from Lyons but has ruled out England and Germany leaving a move to Spain or Italy as his options.

Other Transfers to Look Forward To

With Edwin Van de Sar retiring in a couple of weeks, Manchester United is need of a new starting keeper to replace the Dutchman. David De Gea, Athletico Madrids young keeper, is a name often brought up in discussions. Schalke’s Manuel Neuer was considered an option before completing a reported deal with Bayern Munich leaving names like Ajax’s Stekelenburg and Olympique Lyonnais’s Lloris on the list of possible replacements at Old Trafford.

Manchester United have also been reportedly working out a deal for Aston Villa’s English international Ashley Young. Young would add to an already fantastic group of wingers with Nani and Antonio Valencia.

Interest in Porto’s Brazilian striker Hulk is rumored to be high with the likes of Manchester City and AC Milan pursuing his signature. It is unlikely that Porto will allow their talisman to leave after recently signing him to a new contract.

Kaka is also rumored to be leaving Real Madrid with a number of clubs in England supposedly interested in the former Ballon D’or recipient. Kaka has recently stated his desire to remain at Real Madrid and reclaim a spot in the line up following comments made by his mother about them moving to London for next season.