England Transfer Rumours: 20 Former "Big Four" Players Who May Move This Summer
James WillisAnalyst IMarch 23, 2011England Transfer Rumours: 20 Former "Big Four" Players Who May Move This Summer
Despite the famous "Big Four" now having all but disappeared, there are still remnants of the era that remain with each club still capable of attracting huge names.
This season has been far closer as a whole than many other seasons, and for the first time in a very, very long time each Premier League team has earned at least one point per game after 30 rounds of matches.
This has left most of the old "Big Four" clubs with some trading to do this summer, with a number of rumours already having surfaced about possible exits.
This summer could be one of the biggest transfer feasts we've had in years.
Daniel Sturridge
Age: 21
Position: Striker
Current club: Chelsea (on loan at Bolton)
Possible new club: Bolton (permanent move), Newcastle
Reason: Since his loan move to Bolton Wanderers, Sturridge has become a key part of the club's push to secure a European place. Newcastle have also shown an interest in bringing in the player full time after losing Andy Carroll.
John Terry
Age: 30
Position: Centre Back
Current club: Chelsea
Possible new club: Tottenham
Reason: Now at first glance this looks quite ridiculous, but Terry is gradually getting past his prime and rumours have suggested that Chelsea are preparing a squad overhaul this summer. Put that together with his and Harry Redknapp's past together at West Ham, and it it looks slightly more realistic suddenly.
Didier Drogba
Age: 30
Position: Striker
Current club: Chelsea
Possible new club: Marseille
Reason: Having struggled to find form again since his return from a bout with Malaria, many people are predicting that Drogba is past his best, and perhaps a transfer away from Chelsea is what it would take to reinvigorate his career one final time.
Frank Lampard
Age: 32
Position: Midfield
Current club: Chelsea
Possible new club: Tottenham / Elsewhere
Reason: There are no prominent rumours suggesting where Lampard could leave to, but with Harry Redknapp being his uncle, there may always be a space open for him at Tottenham. While any move for Lampard looks unlikely it could still happen if Chelsea go through with their Summer clear out.
Jose Bosingwa
Age: 28
Position: Right Back
Current club: Chelsea
Possible new club: Juventus
Reason: Jose Bosingwa has never really been the most integral part of the Chelsea team and were Juventus to bid for him as has been rumoured, then there's a good chance that Chelsea would accept a fair price as he should be replaceable enough.
Dimitar Berbatov
Age: 30
Position: Striker
Current club: Manchester United
Possible new club: Bayern Munich
Reason: As the Premier League's top scorer so far this season you'd think Manchester United would want to hold on to Berbatov, but following some contract talks being held up, rumours have surfaced that a summer move away from the club may be in line. Bayern Munich appear to be the favourite suitors, monitoring the situation closely.
Michael Owen
Age: 31
Position: Striker
Current club: Manchester United
Possible new club: Aston Villa / Newcastle Jets / MLS club
Reason: With Owen not getting as many starts at Manchester United, there are now rumours that he may move on elsewhere to give his career one last boost. Aston Villa are rumoured to still be interested with Gerard Houllier looking for a reunion, while Australian side Newcastle Jets are also monitoring the opportunity to make him one of their marquee players.
Danny Welbeck
Age: 20
Position: Striker
Current club: Manchester United (on loan at Sunderland)
Possible new club: Sunderland (permanent transfer)
Reason: Welbeck has been on top form for Sunderland since Darren Bent's departure, and the club may now be looking for someone like him to fill in alongside Asamoah Gyan more permanently. Money may be a problem in this transfer, especially if Ferguson sells Owen and Berbatov as well. Either way it's definitely a realistic possibility this summer.
Patrice Evra
Age: 29
Position: Left Back
Current club: Manchester United
Possible new club: Real Madrid
Reason: Rumours have been circulating of this move for quite some time but nothing has materialised as of yet. However, with Fabio Da Silva looking a very promising prospect at left back, perhaps United are finally ready to let Evra go. A big enough offer from Real Madrid would surely be tempting for the club as well.
Tomasz Kuszczak
Age: 29
Position: Goalkeeper
Current club: Manchester United
Possible new club: Wigan Athletic
Reason: With United looking to replace Van der Sar after his impending retirement, the club are also likely to offload Kuszczak in a goalkeeping overhaul. Anders Lindegaard should be ready to play back up to whoever is signed to replace Van der Sar, while Ben Amos looks to have enough potential and ability to act as a third choice goalkeeper.
Cesc Fabregas
Age: 23
Position: Midfield
Current club: Arsenal
Possible new club: Barcelona / Real Madrid
Reason: Both Spanish giants are expected to fight it out for Fabregas again this summer, and another season without silverware could prove enough for the World Cup winner to finally leave. Barcelona have been interested in Fabregas for a long time, pretty much since he left them to join Arsenal in the first place. This saga looks to continue this summer.
Samir Nasri
Age: 23
Position: Attacking Midfield
Current club: Arsenal
Possible new club: Barcelona
Reason: Rumours suggest that if Barcelona can't get their hands on Cesc Fabregas then they'll go straight for another Arsenal star in Samir Nasri. This news surfaced in January and while it is not known how much truth there is in the rumour, there's a realistic possibility it could happen provided the offer is big enough.
Gael Clichy
Age: 25
Position: Left Back
Current club: Arsenal
Possible new club: Real Madrid
Reason: If Real Madrid cannot get their hands on Patrice Evra, they may well revive their interest in Gael Clichy. The fact that his contract negotiations have stalled, has set Real Madrid on alert as there is a new possibility for his signing. Clichy has said he will wait until the summer to decide his future, and whether that remains at the Emirates Stadium or not.
Nicklas Bendtner
Age: 23
Position: Striker
Current club: Arsenal
Possible new club: Borussia Dortmund / Hamburg
Reason: The recent revival of the Bundesliga has raised the profile of a number of German clubs and therefore a number of more well known players could be heading their way in the near future. If rumours are true, Nicklas Bendtner could be looking to move back into Europe as opposed to another English club, with both Hamburg and Dortmund rumoured to be interested.
Andrey Arshavin
Age: 29
Position: Attacking Midfield
Current club: Arsenal
Possible new club: Inter Milan
Reason: With Mourinho gone and Inter having struggled since, the club are looking to change things up a bit and start a fresh. One of the rumours that has come out of this is a rumoured interest in Andrey Arshavin. The Russian was off form early in the season and despite being better recently, could well be on his way out of the Emirates.
Jose "Pepe" Reina
Age: 28
Position: Goalkeeper
Current club: Liverpool
Possible new club: Manchester United
Reason: One of the many candidates to replace Edwin van der Sar at Manchester United, Reina is a very capable goalkeeper who would keep United in safe hands. It's seen as a cardinal offence in Merseyside to leave Liverpool to join United, but Reina has publicly admitted his would be open to the switch if the offer was there.
Alberto Aquilani
Age: 26
Position: Midfield
Current club: Liverpool (on loan at Juventus)
Possible new club: Juventus (permanent transfer)
Reason: One of the most likely moves on this list, Aquilani has endured a torrid time at Anfield while having a far better time on loan at Juventus. The move looks pretty much certain as Liverpool could do with the money, and Juventus could do with the player. There's very little reason it wouldn't happen, with Aquilani's own representative admitting a deal was close.
Joe Cole
Age: 29
Position: Winger / Attacking Midfield
Current club: Liverpool
Possible new club: Tottenham
Reason: Another failed signing for Liverpool and another player rumoured with Harry Radknapp at White Hart Lane. It's sometimes hard to take most rumours linked with Tottenham seriously, but if any midfielder was likely to be snapped up by Redknapp it would be Joe Cole. The pair were together at West Ham and may see a reunion this summer.
Glen Johnson
Age: 26
Position: Full Back
Current club: Liverpool
Possible new club: Tottenham
Reason: Another player linked with Spurs this summer, Glen Johnson has also had links with Harry Redknapp in the past through both their times at Portsmouth. It is rumoured that Johnson has fallen out with Kenny Dalglish, and could therefore be open to a move to Spurs who are no doubt looking to strengthen in their full backs positions.
Paul Konchesky
Age: 29
Position: Left Back
Current club: Liverpool (on loan at Nottingham Forest)
Possible new club: Fulham
Reason: In another disastrous signing for Liverpool, Paul Konchesky could be offered a swift return back to Fulham having disappointed at Anfield. Significant interest from Anfield in players such as Jose Enrique and Stephen Warnock has suggested that the Merseyside club are ready to offload Konchesky as soon as possible, even if it is just for a small percentage of the amount they paid for him.