Top Ten: Promoted Team's Transfer Targets
Jonny Abrams
Posted on: 29 June 2009 - 15:51
Football
The market plundered by sides who have just been promoted to the Premiership – as well as teams who are already there but expect to struggle – is a tricky one to master. Hull owe their top flight status to the early-season form of Geovanni, Stoke played an unexpected blinder by bringing in James Beattie – in short, huge sums of money rest on bringing in just the right sort of ‘seasoned pros’, ‘experienced campaigners’, or whatever you prefer to call them. And avoiding those, such as Neil Redfearn or Nigel Quashie, who carry relegation like a curse. Sport.co.uk makes a few helpful suggestions for those clubs who expect a bit of a dogfight…
1. Victor Anichebe - The young Nigeria striker could be on the way out of Everton after clashing with David Moyes mid-way through last season, with reports of Phil Brown’s Hull City showing interest. Anichebe’s goals-to-games ratio at Goodison has been poor but he remains a powerful and gradually-improving prospect.
Estimated value - £4m
2. Richard Dunne – Once Manchester City are done spending gazillions of pounds for another transfer window, the dust may very well settle to reveal a rather frozen-out Irish centre-half. Despite coming off the back of a poor season, Dunne was City’s player of the year for the previous three seasons running and could be just the sort of defensive rock that would come in handy during those inevitable parking-a-bus moments.
Estimated value - £6m
3. Gary O’Neil – A solid performer on the right-hand side of midfield, Middlesbrough may well be looking to recoup the £5m they paid Portsmouth for his services in 2007 having been relegated to the Championship.
Estimated value - £5m
4. Steven Taylor – Although the 23 year-old has stated that he intends to remain at St James’ Park, Newcastle United’s relegation and debt-ridden plight could lead to any decent bids being accepted. Taylor can operate at centre-half or right-back and could go on to do at a bottom-half Premiership club what Aaron Hughes has done at Fulham. The Magpies are not in a strong bargaining position which brings the price down.
Estimated value - £6m
5. Obafemi Martins – Another potential Newcastle sale, Martins offers the kind of pace, business and work ethic up front that could suit a side playing defensively away from home that requires an outlet. Sunderland could afford him but, clearly, that one’s not going to happen. Wigan and Portsmouth are more likely destinations.
Estimated value - £8m
6. Nicky Butt – Had a good season for Newcastle, despite some of the dross around him, and would add experience and leadership qualities in an important area of the pitch. Could do for someone else what Lee Carsley is likely to be doing for Birmingham.
Estimated value - £1m
7. Robert Huth – The former Chelsea centre-half has not had the best of times at Middlesbrough, but he is still a German international and could be considered as an alternative target to Richard Dunne.
Estimated value - £5m
8. Jonathan Greening – The West Brom man can play centrally or on the left of midfield. He recently had an operation to fix a double hernia problem and, despite indicating that he would like to sign a new contract at the club, he would surely be tempted to have another go in the top flight.
Estimated value - £4m
9. Nigel Reo-Coker – A possible target for the more ambitious relegation candidate. The form of Stiliyan Petrov at the base of Aston Villa’s midfield has marginalised the former West Ham and England U-21 captain, and a financially-backed team such as Sunderland could be wise to take advantage of this.
Estimated value - £8m
10. Daniel Sturridge – If Man City line up next season with Eto’o and Tevez up front then they may be willing to loan out Sturridge to one of the league’s so-called ‘lesser lights’ to keep him in games and experience. If not, then 21 year-old Brazilian Jo is another Eastlands option.
Estimated value – n/a