5 Hottest Summer Transfer Targets: Breaking Down Their Stats

With the Champions League Final in the rear-view mirror and domestic play mostly complete throughout Europe, the focus of the collective footballing world is squarely on the summer transfer window.

Could some of the top names in World Football be heading to greener pastures before the start of next season?  

Unquestionably, a handful of football's most dominant players could be on the move to new clubs.  The intrigue is palpable, as managers look to land the talent to keep supporters satiated and ownership content. 

This list looks at some of the statistics from five of the hottest footballers to possibly be on the move before the new European season kicks off in a scant couple of months.    

All data is collected from WhoScored? and based on 2012-2013 domestic campaigns. 

Gareth Bale

Statistics

Appearances: 33

Goals: 21

Assists: 4

Cards: 6 yellows

Key Passes per Match: 2.3

Shots per Match: 5

Successful Dribbles per Match: 1.8

Passing Accuracy: 78.5%

Interceptions per Match: 1.3

Foul Earned per Match: 1.4

Description

Perhaps the fastest player with the ball at his feet going forward in the Premier League, Bale barrels at defenders with controlled abandon.  He can slice up the athletes and outsmart the intelligent.  Bale also finishes with power or finesse—a skillful, thoroughbred of a winger.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Statistics

Appearances: 34

Goals: 30

Assists: 8

Cards: 9 yellows, 1 red

Key Passes per Match: 1.8

Shots per Match: 4.6

Successful Dribbles per Match: 0.8

Passing Accuracy: 74.7%

Interceptions per Match: 0.4

Foul Earned per Match: 1.4

Description

Emboldened with a massive frame but graced with glorious technique, Ibrahimovic is a near impossible mark.  He is absolutely fearless on the pitch and scores goals with little concern for life or limb.  The Swede is truly a modern footballer with exquisite class and pure strength. 

Falcao

Statistics

Appearances: 38

Goals: 28

Assists: 1

Cards: 7 yellows

Key Passes per Match: 1

Shots per Match: 3.6

Successful Dribbles per Match: 1

Passing Accuracy: 79.9%

Interceptions per Match: 0.1

Foul Earned per Match: 1.9

Description

Falcao is about as dominate as it gets in front of the goal.  The Colombian is an out-and-out finisher and has the technique to match some of the best on the planet. 

Robert Lewandowski

Statistics

Appearances: 29

Goals: 24

Assists: 5

Cards: 2 yellows, 1 red

Key Passes per Match: 1.1

Shots per Match: 3.2

Successful Dribbles per Match: 1.6

Passing Accuracy: 72%

Interceptions per Match: 0.3

Foul Earned per Match: 2.1

Description

Lewandowski is a pure center forward, equipped with the footballing sixth sense to find gaps in opposing back lines at the most potent of times.  His finishing is accurate, and his touch is scary.   

Edinson Cavani

Statistics

Appearances: 34

Goals: 29

Assists: 4

Cards: 8 yellows

Chances Created per Match: 0.9

Shots per Match: 4.6

Successful Dribbles per Match: 1.1

Passing Accuracy: 77.9%

Interceptions per Match: 0.4

Foul Earned per Match: 1.4

Description

Cavani is a silky striker with skills most other forwards dream about.  The Serie A man can mix things up, too.  A finisher, first and foremost, Cavani is dangerous both with the ball and without.