A massively improved TV deal, coupled with the need of newly incoming managers to invest in their squads, has already seen sides spend big, effectively betting on Premier League glory. This has been mirrored in other major leagues across Europe and this summer looks set to see the highest level of spending of all time.
Among the biggest deals of the summer are Granit Xhaka to Arsenal, Eric Bailly & Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Man United , Michy Batshuayi& N’Golo Kante to Chelsea, all of these deals costing £30m+.
This summer has already seen a number of massive transfer deals done and more will certainly follow, here are the ten highest valued players still strongly linked with a transfer during this window.
10. Christian Benteke (Liverpool)
Wanted by: Crystal Palace
Valuation: £32m
Despite much criticism the Belgian had a decent debut season at Liverpool, nine goals from 14 Premier League starts, but Jurgen Klopp seems ready to sell and if the Eagles fork out the necessary fee then this deal looks distinctly possible.
9. Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan)
Wanted by: Arsenal & Napoli
Valuation: £42m
The cultured Argentine has done well at the San Siro over the past two seasons but the idea that Arsenal will spend £40m+ on Icardi is hard to fathom.
8. John Stones (Everton)
Wanted by: Chelsea & Man City
Valuation: £40m
The vesatile defender was close to joining Chelsea last summer and is now once again hotly tipped to leave. Everton have new owners and a new manager but this may not stop the England international looking to move on for a ‘bigger’ club.
7. Leroy Sane (Schalke)
Wanted by: Manchester City
Valuaton: £40m
Youngster has plenty of suitors and Schalke are ready to sell, but only for the right price. Sane showed signs of real class last term and was part of Joachim Low’s Euro 2016 squad, a move to Man City is in the offing.
6. Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City)
Wanted by: Barcelona & Chelsea
Valuation: £42m
The Foxes winger had an outstanding season last term and did look likely to remain at the King Power Stadium but N’Golo Kante’s move to Chelsea may have changed everything. The odds are on the French-born Algerian international to move on, a move to Stamford Bridge or Man City seems very likely indeed.
5. Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus)
Wanted by: Chelsea & Manchester City
Valuation: £45m
Experienced defender is very much on Antonio Conte’s wish-list and the long-serving Juventus man would do well at Stamford Bridge though there is growing speculation Bonucci will sign a new deal with the Turin based side.
4. Dimitri Payet (West Ham)
Wanted by: Real Madrid
Valuation: £48m
3. James Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
Wanted by: PSG, Manchester City & West Ham
Valuation: £57m
The Colombian is not much more than a bit-part player under Zinedine Zidane and his career could go into a downward spiral if he is stuck on the Bernabeu bench again in 2016/17. However any move for the South American is set to cost a massive sum and one that might scare of prospective suitors.
2. Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli)
Wanted by: Juventus & Arsenal
Valuation: £79m
Higuain smacked in 36 goals in Serie A last term, the highest return for the Italian top tier in over 60 years, and Arsenal were said to have had a keen interest in the former Real Madrid, until they learned of the asking price…a move to Juventus is now a strong possibility.
1. Paul Pogba (Juventus)
Wanted by: Manchester United & Real Madrid
Valuation: £100m
A deal that would see Pogba leave Turin this summer will more than likely lead to a new transfer world record, with most sources claiming such a move would cost in excess of £100m. Manchester United are very keen on re-signing the French international and speculation of a move has increased this week with the 23-year-old’s agent said to be in England brokering a deal.
