Coral’s World Cup summer imports to Premier League one to 11
Following the World Cup, expect the Premier League to be flooded with some of the best talents that graced Brazil this summer. Coral give their lowdown of the best eleven imports that could effectively make up a team.
GOALKEEPER: FRASER FORSTER
Celtic’s custodian has been linked with a move to Southampton, having earned a call-up to the World Cup with England. His fee is rumoured to be around the £6m mark.
RIGHT BACK: SERGE AURIER
The Ivory Coast right back has been consistently connected to clubs the Premier League. He was an early favourite to replace Bacary Sagna at Arsenal, however it seems to be QPR that leads the chase.
CENTRE BACK: MATS HUMMELS
Louis van Gaal is rumoured to be looking at the player, with Manchester United in need of defensive reinforcements. Hummels has enjoyed a sterling World Cup with Germany, helping them reach the final and scoring two goals in the process. Said to be valued around £30m by club Borussia Dortmund, any bid is likely to surface after Die Mannschaft’s showdown with Argentina.
CENTRE BACK: ELIAQUIM MANGALA
Currently at Porto, Manchester City could bid for the player before the end of the transfer window, with the team in need of a centre back to complement captain Vincent Kompany. The 23-year-old, who was selected in the French World Cup squad, has been linked to the Premier League before, may be the subject of a £30m bid from City soon.
LEFT BACK: FILIPE LUIS
Chelsea are reportedly interested in the left back, after Ashley Cole departed Stamford Bridge at the end of last season. A fee is yet to be agreed between the two clubs, though Jose Mourinho is said to be keen on Luis, who helped Atletico Madrid win the La Liga title.
CENTRE MIDFIELD: SAMI KHEDIRA
Germany defensive midfielder Khedira is attracting interest from Arsenal, and it is no secret that he is best buddies with Mesut Ozil, who moved to the Gunners from Real Madrid last summer. With just one year left on the player’s contract, and reports that he has turned down a two-year extension at the Bernabeu; a move is likely to happen.
CENTRE MIDFIELD ARTURO VIDAL
Talks between Vidal’s representatives and Manchester United are said to be underway. The Chilean box-to-box midfielder is said to be one of the best in his position in the world, and a fee upwards of £40m is thought to be enough to secure the signing.
RIGHT WING: JUAN CUADRADO
The Colombian winger has had an impressive World Cup, and as a result is attracting the interest of Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal, who have reportedly already had a bid rejected. A move to Old Trafford looks the likeliest, though the Reds may make a late move, with Luis Suarez on his way.
ATTACKING MIDFIELD: CESC FABREGAS
Chelsea’s capture of Fabregas for a price around the £30m mark has added even more quality to their midfield. The thought of him interchanging with Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian is mouthwatering, and under Mourinho should pick up in the Premier League where he left off.
LEFT WING: ALEXIS SANCHEZ
Wenger’s first masterstroke of the summer. For a fee thought to be between £30m-£35m, Arsenal have secured a phenomenal footballer, who will add pace and dynamism to the Gunners attack.
CENTRE FORARD: DIEGO COSTA
For £32m, Chelsea could have signed, pound-for-pound, the best centre forward in the world. The Blues never replaced club legend Didier Drogba, so Costa could prove to be a very good signing.