Top 10 players that need to seek switches before transfer window slams shut

Clubs across the continent will have noted that the transfer clock is ticking, but it is the players, either out of favour, on the fringes or running down deals who need to push for summer switches.

Here is our list of the top 10 high-profile players that really must seek pastures new before the transfer window closes, or risk sticky predicaments should they stay…

Charlie Austin (QPR)

To his credit, 18-goal Premier League poacher Austin has made little fuss about his future, but must now impress his need to leave on relegated QPR (5/1 with Coral for promotion) if he ever wants to snatch an England cap. Championship football simply won’t suffice for the forward.

Mattia Destro (Roma)
Destro’s Roma departure just keeps dragging on, and the Italy attacker is in danger of seeing his career stagnate if he stays at the Stadio Olimpico for much longer, with his status as an Azzurri international already in doubt.

Angel Di Maria (Manchester United)

It appears as though electric Argentine Di Maria may have already burnt his bridges at Man Utd, having failed to show for pre-season, so a switch cannot fail now unless the British-record signing winger wants to risk spending a season warming the bench.

Edin Dzeko (Manchester City)
Dzeko is worthy of being a leading man and should be wary of City out-pricing potential suitors, as the forward’s future remains in limbo. With Steven Jovetic so close to an official Inter Milan move, he won’t want to end up as the fall-guy.

Rickie Lambert (Liverpool)

Lambert, at age 33, is much more in need of an Anfield escape route than clubmates Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini, and Liverpool should just let the West Bromwich Albion-linked frontman leave, than haggle over a small fee.

Fernando Llorente (Juventus)
The writing is on the wall for Llorente at Juve, who have already drafted in three new forwards to complement Alvaro Morata. So, the Basque should pack his bags and avoid similarly big clubs who are searching for an understudy.

Kevin Mirallas (Everton)

Everton (11/4 for a top six finish) should admit defeat and allow Mirallas to leave, grabbing some small change for the winger while they still can.

Unlike the David de Gea and Man Utd transfer saga, Robert Martinez can do without this drama. With just one year left on his contract things could soon turn sour, as clubs continue to circle, and the Toffees need players committed to the cause.

Lucas Moura (PSG)
The highly-rated Samba starlet has not progressed in Paris as projected and considering PSG’s open interest in Di Maria, may want to take an opportunity elsewhere.

Roberto Soldado (Tottenham)

Spurs striker Soldado is perhaps the player who most requires a change of scenery, having emphatically failed at White Hart Lane. The out-of-form sharpshooter should seek a return to Spain as quickly as he can and give up his Premier League goal ghost.

Ashley Young (Manchester United)
Having been fairly but unfavourably compared to the world’s superstars by coach Louis van Gaal, Young may want to take the hint and ask for an Old Trafford exit, rather than end up age 30 and on the shelf next summer when his current contract expires.

The hard-grafting wideman has plenty of kudos from his performances last term and could cash-in on his high stock.