5 Biggest Names Likely to Move to the Premier League

For the last two summers, the reigning Footballer of the Year has been lured away from the Premier League to join La Liga.

In 2013, Gareth Bale swapped north London for Madrid, and already this summer, Luis Suarez has moved from Liverpool to Barcelona.

The Premier League needs a new injection of world-class players to replace this exodus of elite talent.

Who are the biggest names likely to arrive in the Premier League this summer?

Sami Khedira

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It has been an eventful few days for Sami Khedira. 

He was ruled out of the World Cup final after picking up an injury in the warm-up before watching Germany win a medal for him. Tuesday, he will parade the World Cup trophy through the streets of Berlin.

It could get even more eventful for the German international if he also secures a move to the Premier League in the coming days.

Jeremy Wilson of The Daily Telegraph reports that Arsenal are keen to bring Khedira to the Emirates this summer.

The 27-year-old would give Arsenal an even greater attacking edge and would work well alongside Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey.

Edinson Cavani

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Toward the end of last season, it became increasingly clear Edinson Cavani was not happy at Paris Saint-Germain.

As he told L’Equipe (via Patrick Haond of Sky Sports) in April: “Will I remain at Paris next term? We will see at the end of the season. I am fine in Paris, but obviously there are things we have to talk about with the club, things we need to do in a different way."

Last season, the Uruguayan striker was shunted out wide to accommodate Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the centre at PSG.

"Of course it is not easy. Playing besides players like Zlatan, Thiago Silva, Thiago Motta or Lavezzi is great for any player. But for a forward used to scoring and which has to do defensive tasks now, it is not easy." 

It might be easiest for Cavani to leave the French capital and find the platform and respect he believes he deserves in the Premier League.

Arturo Vidal

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On the eve of the World Cup, the new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal expressed his admiration for Chile’s Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal.

As reported by Kevin Palmer of ESPN FC, Van Gaal said, “I always wanted to buy Vidal when he was at Bayer Leverkusen but he went to Juventus. I like a lot of Chile players and they always play an attacking style.”

Now, according to Jamie Jackson in The Guardian, Van Gaal is interested in bringing him to Old Trafford.

The Chilean is one of the world’s most accomplished central midfielders and would be a statement signing by United.

Expect this saga to drag on throughout the summer, but Vidal could start the season as a Manchester United player.

Mats Hummels

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With the departures of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic this summer, there is now a gaping hole at the heart of the Manchester United defence.

According to Stuart Mathieson of the Manchester Evening News, Van Gaal is keen to fill the hole with Mats Hummels.

A World Cup winner and still only 25 years old, Hummels would be a highly impressive addition to the United starting line-up.

However, it remains to be seen if United can lure him away from staying in Germany with Borussia Dortmund.

Paul Pogba

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It seems inconceivable that Juventus would part with their prized asset, but there is mounting speculation Paul Pogba could be about to return to the Premier League.

It gained further momentum when, as John Drayton of the Daily Mail reported, he was photographed near Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground last week.

Last month, Daniel Taylor also reported in The Guardian that Manchester United had enquired about signing their former player and had been quoted a price of around £60 million.

It is highly unlikely Juventus would sanction the departures of both Pogba and Vidal in the same summer, but as is often proven, every player has their price in the transfer market.