Summer Transfer Window: Predicting Where the Biggest Names Will Land

The 2013-14 season looks like it is going to be a blockbuster.

The script may read a little differently when the next campaign begins, with some huge changes already in place at some of Europe’s largest clubs.

Big-name managers have stepped down, moved on and some are waiting in the wings, ready to take on a new role.

But the biggest plot line of the summer is the movement of football’s star players. There are some huge names involved in this transfer window, which threatens to be one of the busiest in recent years.

But who will go where? Are the A-list players really going to switch clubs?

In the next few slides, I am going to predict where the biggest names will end up this summer.

Let me know what you think about my choices below.

Cristiano Ronaldo

The Real Madrid winger has been linked with a move back to Manchester United, where he played from 2003 to 2009.

Neil Custis' report in The Sun suggests that the Old Trafford side are willing to offer £65 million plus a player to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to the North West of England. 

Reports in the Daily Mail from Pete Jenson this week claim that the 28-year-old is unwilling to sign a new contract at the Bernabeu. 

Ronaldo’s current contract expires in 2015, and he has also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, although a move to the latter looks unlikely after Jose Mourinho’s recent comments in the Mirror. 

My prediction: The outcome is hugely dependent on Real Madrid’s new manager, but I don’t think Ronaldo will be a Manchester United player by 2013-14.  He will stay at Real Madrid for one more season.

Cesc Fabregas

Manchester United are rumoured to be tracking Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, as reported in the Express by James Dickenson.

The former Arsenal man has struggled to cement his place in the Barca lineup, which led to speculation linking him with a move away from the Nou Camp.

Fabregas has a clause in his contract to give Arsenal first refusal, should he leave La Blaugrana.

However, this week he told a Catalonian radio station (via The Sun) that he does not want to leave Barcelona:

"I’m very happy at Barca, and I want to stay for many more years to come."

Prediction: Fabregas will not leave Barcelona this season. Opting to stay with the La Liga side in a World Cup year makes sense, and the club’s statement of intent by signing Neymar signals that they will be big contenders on the domestic and European stage next season.

Robert Lewandowski

The Robert Lewandowski transfer looks like it’s nearing completion.

The will-he, won’t-he theme has been rumbling on since Borussia Dortmund met Bayern Munich in the Champions League final in May.

The player’s agent Cezary Kucharski was quoted on Polish TV station TVN24 (via Skysports.com) last month, saying:

"

Yes. Robert will join Bayern this summer. There is no point in pretending that he will not move to Bayern. Robert wants to leave and that is what will happen.

"

This came despite Dortmund’s hope that their star striker would remain at the Westfalenstadion, as seen here on foxsports.com. 

Lewandowski told SportBild, via espn.co.uk this week: "I'd like to think that now everything has been resolved and I will be able to join the club of my choice."

Prediction: It looks like a nailed-on certainty that Lewandowski will be lining up for Bayern Munich in 2013-14.

Gonzalo Higuain

Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain looks set to leave the Bernabeu this summer.

He has been quoted on espnfc.com (via the Press Association) as saying:  

"

I feel that my time here has come to an end and I want a change of scenery. I have experienced seven intense, tough and happy years here. It was a decision I have been thinking about for some time. It's tough, it wasn't easy to make, but I will go to another club to seek new challenges.

"

Juventus and Arsenal seem to be the front-runners in the battle to sign the Argentine international, according to reports from Alex Hankin in the Mirror. 

The 25-year-old has scored 121 goals in all competitions for Los Blancos, since joining the side in 2007, via Transfermarkt. 

Skysports.com claim that Madrid have not received an offer from Juventus for the player.

Higuain appears to have told Jamie Sanderson of Metro that he could be interested in a potential move to the Emirates.  

My Prediction: Higuain will sign for Arsenal this summer. Arsene Wenger’s side are in need of a potent striker and, at £20 million, he suits their relatively modest spending.

Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale’s performances in a Tottenham Hotspur shirt have made him the target of numerous clubs.

Most notably Real Madrid, who have made no secret of their admiration for the 23-year-old, as seen here in report by John Drayton of the Daily Mail.

Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have also been credited with interest in the Welshman, according to the Mirror's John Cross. 

Tottenham’s failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League has furthered speculation that Bale may be about to depart White Hart Lane.

The winger scored 21 Premier League goals for his side in 2012-13 and was voted PFA player of the year, PFA Young Player of the Year and the Football Writers Association Player of the Year.

Bale is now worth an estimated £85 million, according to a report by Duncan Castles in the Sunday Times.

Prediction: It may be hard for Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy to resist offers for the side’s prize asset. However, I think Bale’s success with Spurs and obvious respect for Andre Villas-Boas will see him stay at White Hart Lane for one more season, where he will try to get the club back into the Champions League.

Edinson Cavani

Napoli striker Edinson Cavani is high up on the wishlist of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

His £54.5 million buyout clause, as reported on Skysports.com, will price many clubs out of a move.

But wealthy Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City are unlikely to be deterred by the fee for Serie A’s top scorer.

Cavani has been reported to be interested in Real Madrid on Goal.com by Andrew Wychrij, whereas Matt Law of the Mirror reports that Manchester City could be his new home. 

In Lee Bryan's report in the Daily Mail, Chelsea are presented as potential suitors for the Uruguayan international.   

The 26 year-old scored 29 goals in 34 appearances for Napoli during the 2012-13 season.

Prediction: With Rafa Benitez at the helm of Napoli and Jose Mourinho reinstated at Stamford Bridge, I think that Cavani will join up with Chelsea this summer, with Fernando Torres going the other way.

Luis Suarez

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is making it very hard to imagine that he’ll still be playing in the Premier League next season.

His recent comments to Uruguayan radio station 890 Sport (via the Guardian) gave a clear indication that he is not happy in England.

He responded to reports linking him with a move to Real Madrid by saying: "I have a contract with Liverpool, but it would be very difficult to say no to Real Madrid."

Suarez, who scored 23 Premier League goals for the Reds during the 2012-13 campaign, has also been linked with a move to Bayern Munich, as reported in the Telegraph by Mark Ogden and Jason Burt in April.

In John Edwards' report in the Daily Mail, the Uruguayan was linked with a move to Juventus.

Suarez is reported to have a £40 million release clause in his Liverpool contract, according to Edwards and the Daily Mail. 

Prediction: The Bernabeu and La Liga seems like a natural fit for Liverpool's current No. 7. I think Suarez will be unveiled as a Real Madrid player this summer. 

Wayne Rooney

Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney has two years remaining on his current contract.

However, the 27-year-old wants to leave Old Trafford, according to Ben Smith's report seen here on the BBC Football web site. 

This is the second time Rooney has professed his unhappiness at Manchester United, the first in 2010, as reported in the Guardian. 

Rooney is an undeniable talent and an asset to any team, his 27 Premier League games yielding 12 goals and 10 assists this season.

Manchester United have a new manager installed for the next campaign in David Moyes, and the Scot has managed Rooney before, in the player’s early years at Everton.

Whether he can man-manage Rooney and convince him to stay or usher him to the exit doors remains to be seen.

Rooney has been linked with Arsenal in the Daily Mail by Matthew Morlidge and Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain in the Mirror by Matt Law.

Prediction:  Whether it works out favorably or not for both club and player, I think Rooney will stay at Manchester United for one more season.