'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With the January transfer window slammed shut, the focus has already turned towards the summer. Top players like Edinson Cavani and Olivier Giroud were on the verge of leaving their respective clubs Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, but potential moves to Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan collapsed.
There is no doubt that every top European club will hope to do some productive transfer business in the summer in order to boost their squads for next season. Therefore, in this section, we discuss five high-profile free agents that every club should be looking out for in the summer transfer window.
5. Thiago Silva
Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva is set to depart Parc Des Princes this summer following the conclusion of his contract at the club. The French champions have not initiated any negotiations for a potential extension, with the Brazilian now highly likely to leave.
Even at 35, Silva is a pivotal part of Thomas Tuchel’s set-up as has been the case with previous managers. He has been one of the club’s most consistent performers since his arrival in 2012, and is considered by many as one of the best defenders modern football has seen.
Reports have suggested that the former AC Milan man is keen to stay put in Paris, but his agent has claimed that if no constructive talks occur, they will have to listen to other proposals. “At this moment there are no negotiations with PSG,” his agent Paulo Tonietto told Brazilian outlet Globoesporte. “He has been sounded out by other clubs but he has not spoken to anybody because his priority is to stay at PSG. Football is very unpredictable but we will wait for the club.”
Silva has lifted six Ligue 1 trophies in his time in France. The defender also played a key role in Brazil’s 2013 Confederations Cup and 2019 Copa America wins, showcasing his defensive prowess, expertise and leadership attributes. It will be no surprise if Paris Saint-Germain offer him a short extension but Thiago Silva could still be an effective option at the back for any top European side.
4. Jan Vertonghen
Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen has sparked rumours of a potential exit following his emotional reaction to getting substituted in their 3-2 win over Southampton in the FA Cup fourth-round replay. The Belgian was visibly upset as he was walking towards the sidelines with a look of a man who knows his days at Spurs are numbered.
Vertonghen has been a quintessential part of the Tottenham starting XI ever since his arrival in 2012. He has been a great asset for the club and one of their most reliable defenders over the years. His versatility and adaptability has allowed him to play at left-back on various occasions but centre-half remains his preferred position. The 32-year-old has been stalwart in defence in previous seasons but has been way below par this term.
His partnership with Belgium compatriot Toby Alderweireld was perhaps one of the best centre-back pairings in Europe, but his lack-lustre performances and vulnerable defending have surprised many this season. Vertonghen has looked a shadow of the player he once was, and his walk of shame on Wednesday night was an indication of a potential move out of London.
Former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino once claimed that Vertonghen was one of the fittest players in his squad and that he could play top-flight football even in his 40s. With age catching up and morale at its lowest, we could see one of Tottenham Hotspur’s best players of the last decade leave the club in an unfortunate manner.
3. David Silva
Veteran midfielder David Silva announced at the beginning of this season that it will be his last in Manchester City colours, calling it quits to a scintillating decade at the English club. The Spanish playmaker has been one of City’s greatest servants in the Sheikh Mansour era, playing a key role in four Premier League title wins, two FA Cups and four League Cups in his time at the Etihad Stadium.
Silva is revered and respected not only in the blue half of Manchester but around Europe, such is his artistry and style of play. He was signed by Roberto Mancini in the summer of 2010 from Valencia for a reported £24 million and went onto become a pivotal player under each of the next two managers.
With Silva set to be a free agent in the summer, a move to David Beckham’s newest MLS franchise Inter Miami is on the cards. The attacking midfielder is 34 and a few good years in the United States could be a fitting end to his career. Silva has also spoken in an interview about his willingness to end his career at his hometown club Las Palmas. “I would love to finish my career in Las Palmas but football changes. Who knows?” he said before the start of this season.
The Spaniard is signing off as captain of this brilliant Manchester City team, who are still in the run-in to win the Champions League, the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup this season. Silva will hope that he ends his City journey with silverware and there’s no doubt that he will be given a thunderous farewell in his last game at the Etihad Stadium come May.
2. Luka Modric
2018 Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup finalist Luka Modric will perhaps be the most popular free agent in the summer, as he is set to depart ways with Spanish giants Real Madrid. The Croatian midfielder has had a decorated career at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning the La Liga once, the Champions League four times while also tasting domestic and international cup successes.
Italian heavyweights Inter Milan, who swooped in for Modric in the summer, have reignited their interest in the midfielder. Beckham’s Inter Miami is also prepared to offer a lucrative deal for the former Tottenham Hotspur man who will be available for free in the summer. The newest club in the Major League Soccer are wanting to build their brand and are ready to double Modric’s wages to lure him to the States.
Luka Modric has been one of the best central midfielders in recent times, known for his incredible vision, close control and passing range. There’s no doubt that he would walk into any top team in world football, such is his ability and mastery of the game. The Croatian captain is 34 now, and having scored his 100th career goal recently, he will look to end his illustrious career on a high.
1. Edinson Cavani
Want-away Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani was the highlight of many back pages this January transfer window following his alleged fall-out with the French club’s bosses. As a result, the Uruguayan superstar was heavily linked with potential moves to Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United in the past couple of weeks, but has surprisingly stayed put in France at least till the summer.
Cavani is Paris Saint-Germain’s highest goalscorer of all time with just under 200 goals for the club, yet it feels like he has always been under-appreciated by fans. His star counterparts Neymar and Kylian Mbappe have often overshadowed his goalscoring exploits, which has led him to call quits on what has been a memorable spell in Ligue 1.
During his six-and-a-half-year stay, he has won five league titles, four French cups and five French League cups, but what still eludes him is a Champions League trophy. At 32, one might believe that Cavani is past his prime but he could still do an excellent job at any top European side.
His statistics don’t lie and football fans have seen his incredible goalscoring attributes at Napoli and now Paris Saint-Germain. He has also been the top-scorer in two of the last three Ligue 1 seasons, cementing himself as one of the most elite strikers in world football.
Mauro Icardi’s arrival from Inter Milan last summer severely hampered Cavani’s playing time, with the Argentinian now the first choice number nine for manager Thomas Tuchel. Cavani, therefore, refused a contract extension from the French champions and is ready to undertake a new challenge next season. United, Chelsea and Atletico will be once again be alerted of the forward’s situation, and it won’t be a surprise if more join the race.
Special Mentions
Dries Mertens
Linked with a move to Chelsea, Napoli forward Dries Mertens could be a breath of fresh air for the Premier League given his impressive showings in Italy and with the Belgian national team. The 32-year-old striker is full of goals and assists and Napoli’s behind-the-scenes situation could force his departure.
Mario Gotze
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mario Gotze is now a forgotten man in world football having scored the winning goal for Germany in the final of the 2014 World Cup. Still only 27, he has the capability to reignite his form at a top European club.
Willian
Willian has been an excellent servant at Chelsea since his arrival in 2013. Now in his early 30s, the Brazilian winger will look to find a new club to end his career on a high note.
Ryan Fraser
Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser is also available for nothing in the summer with a host of Premier League clubs on red alert. The Scotsman turned heads in the Premier League after his brilliant 2018/19 season when he scored 7 goals and provided 14 assists in a successful campaign.
