The 12 Potential Football "Bargains" of the Summer

While the football/soccer world talks about Ronaldo, Kaka, Ribery, David Villa, and Ibrahimovic moving for sums of £60, £70 or £80 million, we look at the less talked about rumours that could prove to be better!

With Ronaldo's £80,000,000 transfer being finished, a world class player for just a sixth of the price seems like a bargain!

It was only 10 years ago people were complaining about £20,000,000 being too much money for a footballer. Here is a list of players that could prove to be better buys than the Ronaldo's and Ribery's of the world...

Luis Fabiano

Name: Luis Fabiano Clemente
Age: 28 years old
Position: Forward
Club: Sevilla (Spain)
Nationality: Brazilian

The first time I saw Luis Fabiano was at FC Porto. They paid €10,000,000 for him, and he only scored 2 goals in 22 games! So my first thought was "What a flop!".

But his move to Sevilla in 2005 improved him as a player and goal scorer - not that he could get any worse. I started paying attention to him in recent years as he has become a consistent striker. But this season he has become World Class.

And he has proved his quality in the Confederations Cup, showing his natural striker instincts such as his movement and shooting. With a great finish in front of goal and the ability to slip away from his marker makes him capable to score goals at any top club.

Fabiano is now Brazil's number one forward, which means he can score goals! With pace and a few skills he deserves a bigger club. But he may stay at Sevilla. But if you want a goalscorer forget Ribery and Ronaldo, go for Luis Fabiano for a sixth of the price!

Predicted value: £13,000,000 / $21,000,000
Target for: Tottenham Hotspurs, Barcelona, Chelsea

Miranda

Miranda
Age: 24 years old
Position: Central Defender
Club: Sao Paulo (Brazil)
Nationality: Brazilian

A promising defender, Miranda has been interesting European clubs for a while now. He is rumored to be at the top of AC Milan's transfer list, which says a lot! A skinny player and only 6"1, he is not the strongest defender, and looks more like a striker.

If you are like me and want to see more of this guy then you are in luck. He may start for Brazil against South Africa in Thursday night's Confederation Cup Semi Final.

Predicted value: £18,000,000 / $29,500,000
Target for: AC Milan

Landon Donovan

Landon Donovan
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Club: Los Angeles Galaxy (USA)
Nationality: American

A midfield general, Donovan is a real team player. More attacking than defending, Donovan can roll the ball beautifully. His passing is exceptional. He can hold the ball - which he has to do with the USA national team a lot - and can make deep runs with or without the ball. He has good shooting capabilities.

He is not a big club player, but I can imagine him at a smaller, developing, up and coming club like Fulham. He would be a huge success in England.

Predicted value: £10,000,000 / $16,500,000
Potential clubs: Aston Villa, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspurs, Everton

Micah Richards

Micah Richards
Age: 21
Position: Centre Back/Right Back
Club: Manchester City (England)
Nationality: English

Rumor has it that Manchester City want to get rid of Micah Richards. Are they idiots? Okay, Micah has had a bad season. But at 21, Richards is still an exceptional defender who will only get better. Look at his form before 2008/09!

Strong, athletic, fit, fast and skillful. He is also a great tackler. But I still believe he is best at right back. Potentially the best in the Premier League. He will become a center back later in his career. But he has so much more to offer at full back and I believe his speed and his desire to attack is damaging his form when he plays at center back. His momentum takes him out of position constantly, hence why his man marking isn't as good. So stick him at right back, where he belongs!

If I was a manager I would have signed him already! But it doesn't look like he will leave now.

Predicted value: £10,000,000 / $16,500,000
Target for: Aston Villa, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs

Giuseppe Rossi

Giuseppe Rossi
Age: 22 years old
Position: Forward
Club: Villarreal (Spain)
Nationality: American/Italian
Plays For: Italy

Rossi has come into his own since leaving Manchester United and could prove to be one of United's biggest mistakes. He is a little maestro who can hold and run with the ball. He can shoot from anywhere on the field with his powerful precise shooting from far out. But he does need some coaching on his close up finishing. He also needs to develop a team mentality, as he does quite often make the wrong pass or decision.

Not quite a goal machine yet. But at 22, he has time and the talent to become a brilliant player. But he is already the talk of the big European clubs.

I know he isn't David Villa, but he could become a very similar player with some support and improvement.

Predicted value: £20,000,000 / $33,000,000
Target for: Juventus, AC Milan, Barcelona, Real Madrid

Yuri Zhirkov

Yuri Zhirkov
Age: 25 years old
Position: Left Winger/Left Wingback
Club: CSKA Moscow (Russia)
Nationality: Russian

I haven't seen much of this guy - except for Euro 2008 - but he seems like someone that could really surprise us. Some say he is far better than Arshavin, and that is something to judge him on. I can't wait to see what he's all about when his likely move to Chelsea goes through.

Predicted value: £18,000,000 / $29,500,000
Target for: Chelsea

David Bentley

David Bentley
Age: 24 years old
Position: Right Midfielder
Club: Tottenham Hotspurs (England)
Nationality: English

It was only a year ago we were all calling Bentley the next Beckham. After a hat trick for Blackburn against Man U, they wanted to pay £20,000,000 for him! But were unsure about how it would effect Ronaldo. But he has not been at his best at Tottenham, and they have already given up on him.

He could be the bargain of the summer! Once he regains his form he will return to the England squad. His crossing ability makes him a goal creating machine and his attacking style is rarely seen.

Predicted value: £15,000,000 / $25,000,000
Target for: Aston Villa

Arjen Robben

Arjen Robben
Age: 25 years old
Position: Left Winger
Club: Real Madrid (Spain)
Nationality: Netherlands

We all know Robben. This speedy left winger has everything—except a right foot. He is also the type of player that will evolve when playing in a 'loving' environment. No surprise his best years were under Jose Mourinho.

But I have seen Robben tear teams apart for PSV, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Netherlands. He can go out wide and put a quality cross in. He can cut inside and run into the penalty box or have a shot at goal.

Robben needs a club where he is comfortable and happy if he is to play at his best. And I see Tottenham, Arsenal or Liverpool as the ideal place.

I still like him a lot and he is only 25 years old. Plus, Real Madrid seems desperate to get rid of him.

Predicted value: £25,000,000 / $40,000,000
Potential clubs: anyone across Europe

David Silva

David Silva
Age: 23 years old
Position: Attacking Midfielder/Winger
Club: Valencia (Spain)
Nationality: Spanish

He keeps impressing us. A brilliant attacking player, he has the pace and skill, plus the shooting and crossing ability to play for a big club. He carries the ball well and is fond of cutting inside when playing on the wing.

As Valencia try to sell David Villa for big money, Silva may be the cheaper option, but could develop into a better all round player.

Predicted value: £25,000,000
Target for: Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester United

Carlos Tevez

Carlos Tevez
Age: 25 years old
Position: Forward/Second Striker
Club: Manchester United (England) - Soon to be unattached
Nationality: Argentine

Unlike the other players on this list, Tevez is already one of the best players in the world, which makes him even more of a bargain!

A "humble" player—in football terms—his passion is bigger than his bank account—although that is pretty full.

He has the ability to take control of a game and tear teams apart. Tevez has already proved himself on the biggest stages.
But despite being a big game player, he is usually at his best against smaller teams.

If you want a goal-scoring machine, who can setup just as well, then don't waste money on Benzema and Ibrahimovic when you can buy a far better player for half the price.

Is every team stupid or something?

Predicted value: £30,000,000 - £35,000,000 / $49,000,000 - $57,500,000
Target for: Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City

Hernanes

Hernanes is considered the most promising player in the world.

But at 24, it is now or never for him to leave Brazil and break into Europe with many big clubs interested. A defensive midfielder, he is also a playmaker.

He's technically gifted, and would be a fine signing for anyone.

I know he has not proved himself yet, but I have plenty of confidence that he will be a huge hit in Europe. But his price will be high as the big heavyweights battle for his signature.

Predicted value: around £30,000,000 / around $50,000,000
Target for: AC Milan, Internazionale, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Juventus, Barcelona

Steven Pienaar

Steven Pienaar
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Club: Everton (England)
Nationality: South African

I have been very impressed by Pienaar in recent years.

But this season for Everton he has been the driving force of the team. His energy and dedication is just there to compliment his skills and talent.

He has the sought after ability of tearing defenses up, with his wide or inside runs. As a bonus he also has a great shot.

But what has impressed me even more is the way he leads South Africa.

Obviously their star player, the team looked like a world class team when Pienaar returned to the squad against New Zealand and Spain, a huge difference from their game against Iraq. Everton may have to fight to hold onto him this summer as the bigger clubs come calling.

He is officially the fastest player at the 2009 Confederations Cup.

Predicted value: £15,000,000 - £20,000,000 / $24,500,000 - $33,000,000
Potential clubs: anywhere in England or Spain