Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea are the three clubs most commonly linked with Europe’s hottest properties.
Athletic Bilbao may have lost the Europa League Final to Spanish rivals Atletico Madrid, but that has not stopped the club and their players winning a new army of plaudits.
Their performances home and away against Manchester United were dominant, and predictably- that has led to a number of their players – and their manager Marcelo Bielsa – being linked with moves to the Premier League.
Here are Bilbao’s seven most wanted…
Javi Martinez
Martinez is viewed as the jewel in Bilbao’s midfield, and their most prized asset. This also means he would be the most highly priced, with figures of £30 million suggested, even though the Spanish international himself joked that he is not worth such a sum. Manchester United and Liverpool have been strongly linked, but whether their respective boards would sanction such a huge bid is questionable. Manchester City have also been linked but their midfield is already congested, and it may be that Barcelona step up their interest.
Oscar de Marcos
De Marcos was a relative unknown on these shores 12 months ago, shooting to prominence through scoring home and away against Manchester United. He is rated at around £20 million, and even though the 23-year-old midfielder has not yet been capped by Spain’s senior side, it is surely only a matter of time. Manchester United were linked with a swoop last month, and they appear to be his most credible destination should he move on.
Fernando Llorente
Striker Fernando Llorente has been in sensational form for over two years now, and has forced Fernando Torres out of the Spain squad. He too scored twice against Manchester United, and has been heavily linked with Real Madrid. Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are among the two Premier League sides to be known to be interested, but their cases will be far stronger if they have Champions League football to offer next season. He is also likely to cost in the region of £30 million, a valuation which could even increase after Euro 2012, where he is expected to lead the line in David Villa’s absence.
Markel Susaeta
Winger Susaeta has been linked with switches to both Manchester United and Chelsea, and is enjoying his best season to date, scoring 13 goals this campaign. The 24-year-old would not come as highly priced as some of his teammates, and we can’t help but think he is the right winger Liverpool are crying out for, and would be a million times a step up on Stewart Downing. His current contract expires in 2013, and the Mail suggested last month he could leave this summer for as little as £6 million.
Iker Muniain
19-year-old Iker Muniain is perhaps the most exciting player in Bilbao’s ranks. His performances this season have been outstanding, and he won his first Spain call-up in February. Both Liverpool and Manchester United have been linked, and if he stars at Euro 2012 then his price tag could rocket. He will be being watched by both Real Madrid and Barcelona, and helped take United apart at Old Trafford. He has played most predominantly as a left winger, but can play anywhere across the attack, in the centre or on the right, and can rightly be compared with Eden Hazard as one of Europe’s hottest prospects.
Ander Herrera
England fans may remember Ander Herrera scoring against their under-21 side in the championships last summer, and he has gone onto have another excellent season with his club side. The 22-year-old central midfielder has even been described as a Spanish Steven Gerrard, whetting the appetite of Liverpool fans. He would certainly be a cheaper alternative to Javi Martinez, and would be priced anywhere between £15 and £20 million, but proven quality.
Marcelo Bielsa
Yes, the Argentine coach remains an outsider for the Chelsea job, and has a unique philosophy which has truly transformed Bilbao. He managed Chile at the last World Cup earning plaudits, and if Roman Abramovich wants a man to really re-invent his Chelsea side and give youth and attractive football a chance, then Bielsa is the man. Right now Roberto di Matteo is rightly the front runner, and Bielsa has said he would not be interested, but in football as we know, life can change very quickly.
Which of these seven would you most like to see in the Premier League? Are any likely to make the move?
image: © birasuegi
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