Premier Targets
Andy Greeves suggests a host of players from the 2014 FIFA World Cup who could be suitable summer transfer targets for Barclays Premier League clubs.
Goalkeeper - Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico)
Available on a free transfer at the time of writing, having left French side AC Ajaccio on the back of their relegation from Ligue 1 back in May, Mexican stopper Guillermo Ochoa is sure to be in high demand this summer. His standout performance in this World Cup so far was in keeping a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw against Brazil. He made six saves in total during the June 17 encounter, including two exception stops in the second half.
The player's agent suggests 20 top clubs from around Europe are interested in signing him, including Liverpool and Arsenal. The Gunners have also been linked with Colombia's goalkeeper David Ospina of late.
Right-back - Serge Aurier (Ivory Coast)
There have been a host of excellent performances from full-backs in Brazil this summer and one of the best came from Ivory Coast's Serge Aurier against Japan on June 14 in Recife. The 21-year-old, who plays his club football for Toulouse currently, supplied the crosses for both Wilfried Bony and Gervinho to score in the 2-1 win. Linked with Arsenal for sometime, London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers are also said to be keen on the player.
Another right-back worth a mention is Chile's Mauricio Isla, who is said to be on the radar of Liverpool.
Central Defender - Stefan de Vrij (Holland)
Holland's showings in their three group games, in which they claimed maximum points against the likes of Australia, Chile and Spain, has seen the football world stand up and take notice of the Oranje. Amongst their experienced heads, 22-year-old central defender has impressed greatly, starting all three matches so far and scoring in the 5-1 win over Spain on June 13. Admitting he could leave his club Feyenoord this summer, Everton are said to be keen on the defender and his club and country team-mate Martins Indi.
Central Defender - John Brooks (United States)
Another World Cup goalscoring defender in hot demand is Germany-born, United States international John Brooks. The 21-year-old, who netted in the USA's 2-1 win over Ghana on June 16, is being linked with a move away from Hertha Berlin currently with Aston Villa, Everton, Newcastle United, Stoke City and West Ham United potential suitors for him.
Left-back - Daley Blind (Holland)
Operating as a left wing-back for Holland during this World Cup, Daley Blind - son of Dutch legend Danny Blind - has demonstrated his versatility also playing left-back and a holding midfielder role for club side Ajax in recent seasons. He supplied assists for Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben to score in Holland's 5-1 win over Spain on June 13, with the flighted cross from the half-way line for van Persie's goal especially impressive.
The 24-year-old was named Dutch Footballer of the Year last season, with Manchester United, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur amongst those said to be eying a move for Blind this summer.
Right Midfield - Jermaine Jones (United States)
Aged 32, Jermaine Jones has proven at this World Cup that he still has plenty to offer as an attacking winger, with an assist against Ghana and a fantastic goal against Portugal in his opening games of the tournament. With a wealth of experience playing for clubs around Europe including Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen, Blackburn Rovers, Schalke 04 and Besiktas currently, he could be a great buy for one of the Premier League's newly promoted teams - Leicester City, Burnley or Queens Park Rangers.
Fellow right-winger James Rodriguez, 22, has been in sensational form for Colombia but he would be difficult to prize away from his current club Monaco.
Central Midfield - Toni Kroos (Germany)
It's possible Toni Kroos will leave Bayern Munich this summer, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool amongst those interested in the 24-year-old German, as well as Spanish giants Real Madrid. At the time of writing, Kroos had started both of his country's matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which saw them thrash Portugal 4-0 on June 16 and draw 2-2 with Ghana on June 22.
French pair Blaise Matuidi and Paul Pogba of Toulouse and Juventus are combative and driving forces in midfield and would be very decent acquisitions by English clubs this summer.
Central Midfield - Miralem Pjanic (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
At 24-years of age, Miralem Pjanic has already developed into one of the finest play makers in world football, starring for Bosnia & Herzegovina at this summer's World Cup despite their disappointing group stage exit. Having signed a new contact with Roma back in May, it is unlikely that Pjanic will be moving from Italy to England this summer, but a major offer from Chelsea or Manchester City could force through a deal.
Cheaper midfield alternatives to Pjanic who could be available for transfer this summer include Granit Xhaka - the 21-year-old Swiss player, once dubbed the 'young Schweinsteiger' by Ottmar Hitzfeld. Aged 29, Christian Noboa has impressed for Ecuador.
Left Midfield - Memphis Depay (Holland)
The third Dutch player to make our list, 20-year-old Memphis Depay's performances of late have been so good that he is being hailed as the 'next Cristiano Ronaldo' in some quarters. The PSV Eindhoven winger scored in the Netherlands' 3-2 win over Australia (June 18) and 2-0 triumph over Chile (June 23) in the group stages of this World Cup, becoming the youngest Dutchman to net at the tournament. Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United could be potential destinations for the player if he moves to England this summer.
Also impressing so far with his impressive left-wing showings in Brazil is Algeria and Valencia player Sofiane Feghouli, with the 24-year-old having been previously linked with Liverpool.
Forward - Enner Valencia (Ecuador)
Newcastle United reportedly turned down a recent opportunity to sign Ecuador's Enner Valencia. However, with a scoring record of 7 goals in 12 appearances for his country at the time of writing and having netted three times in Ecuador's first two World Cup matches, there will surely be other English clubs interested in the front man, who plays for Mexican side Pachuca.
Barcelona's Alexis Sanchez could be bound for the Premier League this summer, if the Spanish giants can secure a new top-class forward and also receive a substantial offer for the 25-year-old. Arsenal and Liverpool are possible destinations for the Chilean, who scored and made an assist in his country's 3-1 win over Australia on June 13.
Forward - Jackson Martinez (Colombia)
Peppino Tirri, the agent of Colombia striker Jackson Martinez, says Arsenal are interested in securing his clients services this summer and it would be easy to see why the Londoners might want him. The 27-year-old scored 29 goals in 51 appearances for Porto last season and his brace in Colombia's 4-1 win over Japan on June 24 helped his country through to the knock-out phase of the World Cup.
Across North London, Spurs are said to be keen on Belgium's young striker Divock Origi. The Lille player came off the bench to score the winning goal against Russia on June 22 to confirm his country's progression to the knockout phase.© Andy Greeves & Soccerphile.com
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