OUTLINED: The 10 attacking midfielders available at a discount
Ah, the summer's here, and Adriano Galliani is already in ecstasy at the prospect of picking up a few players on the cheap... if he keeps his job, that is.
With many teams needing that extra bit of attacking prowess, we scan through Europe's top leagues to find some players who can swing a game, but whose inconsistency, off-the-field issues or relative lack of publicity make them great boom-or-bust picks.
Let's look at the now...
HATEM BEN ARFA - After 17 goals and 5 Ligue 1 assists, it's no surprise to find Barcelona knocking at his door, only to find the Catalans pulling out at the last minute. With his Nice deal runs out this summer, the 29-year-old is too talented to be ignored. He seems to have gotten his head screwed on, too!
ARJEN ROBBEN - Is only 32, yet is injury-prone and earns six million a year. Ouch! Will he fit in with new manager Carlo Ancelotti's system, or will he want to seek pastures new? Loogit, he's played, in England, Germany, Holland and Spain... how about Italy, chief? Remember that Miroslav fellow? Arjen is twice as talented as he is.
KEVIN MIRALLAS - He will definitely leave Liverpool after being marginalized by Roberto Martinez. Olympiakos want him, but surely someone a tad more, er, Italian can step up to the plate? Will be extra motivated after losing his place on the Belgian plane to France 2016.
ANDRE' CARRILLO - Inter, Valencia, Manchester United: they all want the Peruvian, whose deal with Sporting is about to run out. Oh, and he's refused an extension, annoying the Portuguese club, which also doesn't appreciate the fact that agent Pini Zahavi has hardly kept to himself. Speaking of Pini...
ANDRIJA ZIVKOVIC - Zahavi again! The "Serbian Messi" doesn't need to match the Argentinian legend to be a promising player. With his deal expiring, he has also been kicked off the Partizan Belgrade squad. The 19-year-old has netted 17 goals for Partizan in Serbian League action, but would be a non-Eu player.
SOFIANE FEGHOULI - Another player who doesn't deserve to be pon the bench, the soon-to-be 27-year-old will leave Valencia on June 30th. French passport, a good wide player, and someone who has previously found himself on Inter's radar.
FLORIAN THAUVIN - Remeber when he was at Bastia, and a French journalist compared him to Pele? That talk wasn't as ridiculous as it may seem. The Newcastle player has been inconsistent ever since, both in France (Lille, Marseille) and in England, where the Magpies have been relegated, facilitating his departure. He's only 23, too. Worth a punt.
JUAN MANUEL ITURBE - Used to be worth €30 million... at least that's what Roma paid for him, in return for basically nothing. A shockingly bad time in Bournemouth and a disappointing one in the Italian capital have reduced his price by two thirds... imagine if he returned to his Verona form, when he netted 8 goals in a brilliant (if mistake-prone) 2013-2014 season?
RENATO STEFFEN - Who? Wait, the new Shaqiri? Run for the hills!
No, it's meant as a compliment, as the Basel youngster is being compared to his predecessor at the Saint Jakob Park. He's netted a stunnig 7 goals in only 13 league games with the Swiss outfit. The 24-year-old needs to be picked up now before a Bundesliga team can swipe him.
THORGAN HAZARD - Eden's little brother has done too well in Germany to be ignored any longer. Though he belongs to Chelsea, the Borussia Monchengladbach loanee has a lot of promise, though he may never match his brother.
Who do you like the look of? Anyone to add! Tell us in the comments below!
@EdoDalmonte
