With the summer transfer window merry-go-round now in full swing, we’ve entered that time of year when fans dare to dream about the brand new signings who could fire their team to glory in the new season.
A number of top sides have already made significant early moves in the transfer market. Liverpool acted swiftly to secure the services of Darwin Nunez from Benfica, while rivals Manchester City snapped up Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland for a bargain £51 million.
Elsewhere, 2021/22 Champions League winners Real Madrid have been busy bolstering their already impressive squad, recruiting both Antonio Rudiger and Aurélien Tchouaméni.
In each of these cases, the players involved are taking a notable step up in their careers. For others, however, the transfer window is an opportunity to resurrect a flagging career – or simply a chance to make a fresh start at a new club.
Whatever their individual circumstances, many players around Europe could genuinely benefit from a change of scenery this summer.
With that in mind, the folks over at 90min recently put together a list of 20 players that should be in constant contact with their agents right now, trying to engineer a move.
We’ve taken a look at their suggestions in full below.
20 players who ‘need a transfer’ this summer
20. Gleison Bremer (Torino)
Brazilan defender Bremer won Serie A’s Best Defender award last season. In a World Cup year, the uncapped 25-year-old would benefit from showing his skills on a bigger stage.
19. Armando Broja (Chelsea)
After an encouraging season on loan at Southampton last term, Broja needs more than just the occasional cameo at Stamford Bridge in order to continue his development.
18. Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa)
Luiz is far too accomplished to settle for being a squad player at Villa Park. However, with the arrival of Boubacar Kamara, the Brazilian midfielder is likely to struggle for first-team minutes in Steven Gerrard’s set-up. A move may be necessary to guarantee a starting berth.
17. Ruben Neves (Wolves)
Having clocked up more than 200 appearances at Molineux, now is the time for the talented Portuguese playmaker to make the jump to a top European side. He certainly possesses the quality to do so.
16. Aaron Ramsey (Juventus)
On the verge of a World Cup adventure with Wales, Ramsey needs regular first-team football before the tournament. He won’t find it in Turin, barring exceptional circumstances.
15. Michael Keane (Everton)
With the arrival of James Tarkowski, Keane looks to have slipped down the pecking order at Goodison Park. At 29 years old, it’s doubtful that the 12-cap England international will fancy playing a back-up role on Merseyside.
14. Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona)
Essentially frozen out at Camp Nou for the whole of last season, 28-year-old Umtiti has far more to offer than simply watching from the stands while collecting a hefty weekly salary. There doesn’t seem to be any way back for the French defender with La Blaugrana.
13. Georginio Wijnaldum (Paris Saint-Germain)
Wijnaldum’s decision to sign on in the French capital last summer did not pan out as anticipated. The former Liverpool man surely won’t want to endure the frustration of a second season at PSG.
12. Keylor Navas (PSG)
With Gigi Donnarumma now firmly established as the first-choice ‘keeper at the Parc des Princes, Navas needs to reassess his options if he wants to play regular football.
11. Arthur (Juventus)
Paul Pogba’s Juventus return has only increased the competition for places in midfield for the Serie A giants. Rather than scratching around for minutes here and there, 25-year-old Arthur would benefit from a switch to a club where he is guaranteed to feature.
End of season quiz: How much do you remember about the 21/22 football campaign?
10. Marco Asensio (Real Madrid)
After three La Liga titles and three Champions League triumphs, the time may have come for Asensio to move on to pastures new. The addition of Tchouaméni to an already packed midfield roster at Real means that the 26-year-old Spaniard is likely to find himself the odd man out fairly regularly if he stays with Los Blancos.
9. Adama Traore (Wolves)
A loan switch to Barcelona in January didn’t lead to a permanent move, meaning that Traore is once again back at Wolves. The powerhouse winger has plenty of admirers elsewhere in the English top-flight – and it would be something of a shock if one of them didn’t make an approach for him this summer.
8. Youri Tielemans (Leicester)
Tielemans doesn’t want to stay at Leicester. The Foxes don’t want to lose him for free next summer. A move – potentially to Arsenal – appears to be best for both parties.
7. Oleksandr Zinchenko (Manchester City)
It’s a sign of just how strong City’s squad is that the ever-reliable Zinchenko can’t get near Guardiola’s first-choice line-up.
The Ukrainian is far too good to languish on the bench for another campaign.
6. Adrien Rabiot (Juventus)
Things haven’t worked out for Rabiot in Turin. One of the higher earners at the club, Juve chiefs would have no issue with him moving on over the next couple of months.
5. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Liverpool)
Undoubtedly a useful squad player for Jurgen Klopp’s men, it’s hard to see Oxlade-Chamberlain featuring for Liverpool unless a major injury bug bites. At only 28 years old, the versatile midfielder could be a big asset for many other top-flight clubs – if he decides that he wants more regular first-team football.
4. Harry Winks (Tottenham)
Winks struggled for playing time last season – and the arrival of Yves Bissouma is hardly a positive sign for his prospects in north London moving forward. It’s tough to see the former England midfielder fighting his way back to prominence under Antonio Conte.
3. Nicolas Pepe (Arsenal)
The Gunners spent a club-record £72m on Pepe. They won’t get it back. At this point, though, Arsenal likely just want to cut their losses on the Ivorian winger. His time at the Emirates has not been a success – and with plenty of new faces set to join the club – Pepe would be better off starting afresh elsewhere.
Summer transfer window latest! (Via The Football Terrace)
2. Timo Werner (Chelsea)
With Romelu Lukaku heading back to Inter Milan on loan, Chelsea are in need of a frontman to spearhead their attack. Unfortunately for Werner, he probably won’t be the man that the Blues turn to. In his time at Stamford Bridge, the German has been more notable for his gaffes than his goals. He works hard, though, and could be a good fit for the right team.
1. Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
Martial’s time at United would have been over a while back had the Red Devils been able to interest anyone else in his services. A loan move to Sevilla last season bombed – doing absolutely nothing to increase demand for his services.
The Frenchman was once a very promising player. At 26, he still has time to resurrect his career. It’s tough to see him doing so at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, though.
