The Coveted Stars

As the season draws to a close with the Champions League Final on the horizon, it is time to take a look at the prospective big movers of the summer.

Just before they go to Brazil, some players will start to establish relations with clubs looking for them, others will turn them down. The ones staying home will try to move to clubs where they can shine in order to make the next World Cup, or where they will win titles. Here are some of Europe’s hottest properties right now:

Diego Costa

The Brazilian-born Spaniard has had an amazing season, and has been heavily linked with most top clubs in Europe in the market for a striker, so Chelsea FC or Arsenal might be looking to trigger his £32million release clause.

His statistics read:
Goals: 35
Appearances: 42
Assists 4
                   
Luis Suarez

The Uruguayan forward has swept all and sundry before him this season, picking up Liverpudlian, English and European accolades. He led a brilliant Scouser assault on the title but ultimately failed to win anything, and may be re-thinking his options this summer despite signing a £200,000-a-week contract earlier this season. Real Madrid and Barcelona could be looking to secure his services.

His statistics read:
Goals: 31
Appearances: 31
Assists: 12

Mario Mandzukic

The Croatian striker has fallen out of favour at Bayern Munich with Guardiola preferring a false-9 and the impending arrival of Lewandowski from rivals Dortmund. Despite assurances that he won’t be solved, the striker himself might want to move rather than be on the bench at Bayern. Chelsea and Arsenal seem quite interested.

His statistics read:
Goals: 23
Appearances: 46
Assists: 8

Radamel Falcao

The Monaco striker who for the past few seasons has been rightly known as El Tigre has suffered an awful injury and is fighting for fitness, but on his hey-day, he is unstoppable and everybody knows it. His team didn’t do very well this season though, and he will be available at much more reasonable prices. Jose Mourinho is clearly interested, and any top club would love to acquire his services.

His statistics read:
Goals: 9
Appearances: 17
Assists: 5

Toni Kroos

The influential German is another who has fallen foul of Guardiola this season, and a move to Manchester United beckons under Van Gaal’s new regime, although with Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney having spent a lot of time in his position, it is unclear what his role there would be.

His statistics read:
Goals: 3
Appearances: 35
Assists: 6

Cesc Fabregas

The Catalan midfielder’s homecoming looks set to come to an end, with his own fans booing him this season, and his performances good but too inconsistent. On his day, however, he is still a great player and Arsenal and Manchester United might want to bring him back to English shores.

His statistics read:
Goals: 8
Appearances: 36
Assists: 13