There are just two weeks to go until the summer transfer window closes, and the likes of Hulk, Nuri Sahin, and Fernando Llorente continue to be linked with moves to the Premier League.
Here’s Crunchsports.com’s look at five players currently playing overseas who could be plying their trade in the Premier League this season, courtesy of LiveSport.ie writer Raymond Doyle
Hulk (Porto to Chelsea or Tottenham)
Being honest, we actually expected this deal to be done before Euro 2012, but we are just a few hours away from the new season and the Brazilan powerhouse is still a Porto player. Since Andre Villas-Boas has taken over at White Hart Lane journalists are putting two and two together for a reunion from their Porto days, but we still expect Hulk to be taking over Didier Drogba’s jersey this season for the European champions, providing a fee can be agreed.
Nuri Sahin (Real Madrid to Arsenal or Liverpool)
Both Arsenal and Liverpool have shown interest in Sahin for some time, and the 23-year-old has already been told by Real Madrid that he can leave the Bernabeu on a season-long loan deal.
In the last 48 hours, Liverpool have emerged as favourites to sign the Turkey international, with reports on Thursday night suggesting Reds boss Brendan Rodgers was hoping to complete a loan deal for the former Borussia Dortmund player before this weekend’s Premier League opener at West Brom.
However, reports on Friday morning suggest Arsenal have made a last minute attempt to hijack Rodgers’ move for the Turkey international as speculation continues that Alex Song is set to follow Robin van Persie out of the exit door at Emirates Stadium.
Song is a £15million target for Spanish giants Barcelona.
This one will probably be resolved in the next few days.
Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao to Arsenal or Juventus)
Bilbao president Josu Urrutia has confirmed that Llorente, who has just one year left on his current deal at San Mames, has no plans to sign a new contract and wants to leave. As well as Arsenal and Juventus, Manchester City have also been linked with the Spain international.
Quite what Llorente did to Vicente del Bosque to not even earn one minute of Euro 2012 action for the glorious Spanish side remains a mystery. Llorente had an exceptional season for Bilbao last season with many believing (including us) that he would be a welcome addition to the Premier League.
Urrutia insists Llorente will only be allowed to leave this month should his €36m buy-out clause be met, but whether his stance will soften before the end of the month remains to be seen.
Mathieu Debuchy (Lille to Newcastle)
Many thought when Bacary Sagna was ruled out of Euro 2012, France would be considerably weakened at right back but every cloud has a silver lining and all that. Debuchy had an excellent tournament and now looks likely to join the other excellent Newcastle players signed from Ligue 1. The defender has already confirmed he wants to leave France, although Lille are insisting he will not be allowed to leave on the cheap.
Hugo Lloris (Lyon to Tottenham)
Despite having Brad Friedel, Heurelho Gomes and Carlo Cudicini already at the club, new Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas is believed to be trying to bring goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to White Hart Lane. The French international has been lined up as a replacement for Friedel who has hinted that this coming season maybe his last in top-flight football. Lloris has been capped 37 times by France and captained them on several occasions. Lyon are looking for up to £16million which seems a bit expensive for us so this may drag out a big longer.
Hulk-Chelsea FC? Sahin-Liverpool FC? Llorente-Arsenal FC? Top 5 transfer targets
There are just two weeks to go until the summer transfer window closes, and the likes of Hulk, Nuri Sahin, and Fernando Llorente continue to be linked with moves to the Premier League. Here’s Crunchsports.com’s look at five players currently playing overseas who could be plying their trade in the Premier League this season, courtesy of LiveSport.ie writer Raymond Doyle…
