TNT Sports
Europe's biggest bargains - 20 players who would be a steal this summer
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Published 11/06/2015 at 16:48 GMT+1
The transfer window is open and already we are being swamped by speculation as to how cash-rich Premier League clubs might squander their millions.
Aquilani, Dost and San Jose - Europe's biggest bargains
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With the new £5.14 billion domestic TV deal coming into effect next season, English clubs have huge spending power in the transfer market and we can expect some big signings before the end of August.
But to borrow a phrase from Sir Alex Ferguson, is there any “value in the market?” Aside from the star names, are there any bargains to be had?
We asked our European offices to list the five players in their market who would be an absolute steal this summer.
SPAIN
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Dnipro's goalkeeper Denys Boiko (L) and Sevilla's midfielder Vicente Iborra react after the UEFA Europa League final football match between FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk and Sevilla FC
Image credit: AFP
Vicente Iborra – Sevilla (£5.4m): A very strong midfielder. Last season with Levante he played in a defensive role but this season with Sevilla he has played in the opposite area of the pitch and he has scored important goals.
Lucas Vazquez – Espanyol (Estimated price £2.9m): An electric, attacking right midfielder who can also play on the left and is young at 23. Has excelled in his first professional experience after playing for Real Madrid’s youth teams.
Jonathas – Elche (£4.3m): Loaned from Pescara for the past two years, this summer would be perfect for a transfer because Elche have been relegated due to their awful financial position. Even though he’s not a young player at 26, he’s a really strong forward and some people in Spain talk about him as ‘a new Diego Costa’.
Mikel San Jose – Athletic Bilbao (£3.6m): He started his career as a defender but has become a leader as a defensive midfielder and he has played for Spain there. Compared with Javi Martinez, San Jose has less quality but he’s much better in the air.
Sergi Darder – Malaga (£2.9m): He’s one of the best young players in Spain and a leader in the Malaga midfield despite being only 21. He could sign for a good team soon.
ITALY
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Italy's Andrea Bertolacci controls the ball
Image credit: AFP
Andrea Bertolacci – Genoa (£3.6m): AC Milan are close to signing him but there has not been anything official yet. He has the necessary skills to become a European star: dribbling, technique and shooting are all in his repertoire.
Riccardo Saponara – Empoli (£8m): Co-owned by two clubs, he had an amazing second half of the season with Empoli, scoring seven goals in 17 matches, and will be on the move. Empoli will want to earn money as much as possible from his transfer. He is a classic attacking midfielder who mainly plays in the centre. He has good technique and incredible shot.
José Mauri - Parma (£2.9m): He is only 19 but has already played a whole season in the first team. Mauri will surely leave Parma – an electric player who can play anywhere across midfield.
Godfred Donsah – Cagliari (£3.3m): He’s very similar to Roma star Radja Nainggolan, but could be even better. Donsah is very young and was born in 1996. He’s very strong physically and mainly plays as a defensive midfielder.
Alberto Aquilani – Fiorentina (£5.4m): He’s not very young (30), but he will not renew the contract with Fiorentina and he can move on a free. He has great experience and technique, even if his time at Liverpool was a failure.
GERMANY
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The new head coach of German first division football club FSV Mainz 05 Martin Schmidt (L) talks with his player Johannes Geis
Image credit: AFP
Johannes Geis – Mainz (£7.2m): The 21-year-old made a huge impression leading his team both on and off the field this season. He is great at set-pieces. Dortmund want him, Lazio too. It seems he is open to more offers and his contract expires in 2017.
Daniel Caligiuri – Wolfsburg (£5.8m): Attacking midfielder who can play on both sides. Was the reason Andre Schuerrle spent most of his time watching from the bench after moving from Chelsea, with seven goals and four assists in the Bundesliga. The 27-year-old made the Italian squad for the first time last week. His contract also expires in 2017.
Bas Dost– Wolfsburg (£6.5m): The striker, 26, had his breakthrough after the Christmas break, scoring 15 league goals in 2015 alone. He is lethal in front of goal. Wolfsburg want a ‘better’ striker and that is why Dost is available.
Shinji Okazaki – Mainz (£7.2m): A Japanese striker who almost single-handedly kept his club in the Bundesliga with 12 goals and six assists. The 29-year-old’s contract expires in 2016. Mainz want to cash in on him now before he leaves for free next year.
Ragner Klavan – FC Augsburg (£2.9m): A central defender who played in all 34 games for the little Bavarian club, leading them into a fifth-place finish. He is an expert defender and can also build up play from the back too. Already 29 but seems to get better every year. Contract expires in 2017.
FRANCE
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Marseille's Cameroonian defender Nicolas Nkoulou (L) vies with Nantes' French forward Yacine Bammou
Image credit: AFP
Nicolas Nkoulou – Marseille (£5.4m): One of the best Ligue 1 central defenders at a top club over the past two or three seasons. The 25-year-old has one year remaining on his contract but doesn’t want to extend.
Claudio Beauvue - Guingamp (£3.6m): It’s hard to find such a complete forward - aged 27, with more than 15 goals in a season - at such an attractive price.
Idrissa Gueye – Lille (£4.3m): Best Lille’s player for the past two seasons; a complete midfielder who can play box-to-box or in front of the defence. There is a lot of talk about this 25-year-old.
N’Golo Kante – Caen (£3.6m): A really promising midfielder. Quick, with impressive technical skills, he’s able to break through the lines. There is room for improvement but the 24-year-old has already looked great in his first season at the top level.
Bouna Sarr – Metz (£1.5m): An offensive midfielder, 23, with great passing and dribbling skills. He makes the difference. Relegated with Metz, so available for a good price.
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