West Ham, Blackpool, and Birmingham City were relegated in May in one of the most nerve-racking basement battles in years. Demba Ba has already been snapped up by Newcastle, so who else of their players will be the most attractive to Premiership clubs hoping to bag a bargain ?
Charlie Adam
The set piece specialist with a deadly left foot is already being chased by Liverpool, although there are question marks with Henderson’s arrival, if the reds even need him. But will Tottenham reignite their deadline day bid? Sir Alex Ferguson is also an admirer.
Estimated cost: £10 million
Likely destinations: Liverpool, Spurs, Man United
Scott Parker
To say last season was a mixed-bag for Parker would be an understatement. Finishing it as an England regular and Football Writers Player of the Year contrasted with West Ham’s relegation. Will want an immediate return to the Premiership to keep his international place.
Estimate cost: £10 million
Likely destinations: Spurs, Arsenal, Man City, QPR.
Roger Johnson
Johnson is rated still as one of Birmingham’s prize assets and has already indicated he wants to leave. Blackburn may go after him as a Phil Jones replacement, but is capable of playing at a higher level.Estimated cost: £4 millionLikely destinations: Blackburn, Tottenham, Aston Villa.
Matthew Upson
This time last year Upson was in the England first team, scoring more goals than Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres combined did at the World Cup. That season he has linked with a multi-million pound move away from the Hammers, but a poor season has seen his suitors from the top teams look elsewhere. Now available on a free, he could be an ideal signing for Bolton if as expected Gary Cahill moves on.
Cost: Free transfer
Likely destinations: Newcastle, Stoke, Bolton, Norwich, Blackburn.
Scott Dann
Dann’s reputation rose with his season ending injury coinciding with Birmingham’s dip in form. A move to Liverpool has been mooted, and he has the potential to play for England if he carries on where he left off.
Cost: £10 million
Likely destinations: Liverpool, Spurs, Blackburn, Sunderland, Stoke.
DJ Campbell
Scoring 13 goals last season, more than England regulars Crouch and Defoe combined, was a great return for the striker. He has already said he is keen to leave Blackpool, but may have to settle for another relegation fight.
Cost: £2.5 million
Likely destinations: Sunderland, Swansea, Newcastle, QPR.
Thomas Hitzlsberger
The hammer-footed German, like Ba, had a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for free, if relegated. It is very possible he will look back to Germany, but Premiership clubs will be clammering to sign up one of the Summer’s best bargains.
Cost: Free
Likely destinations: QPR, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Sunderland, Stoke.
Craig Gardner
The Birmingham man’s goals from midfield were a vital commodity last season, and he is a potential match winner for whoever he signs for. Sunderland have already made enquiries, but the blues will want as much cash as possible from one of their star assets.
Cost: £7 million
Likely destinations: Sunderland, Newcastle, Fulham.
Ben Foster
Tottenham were strongly linked with a move, but having signed Brad Friedel, it is Villa desperately in need of a new keeper. Villa would seem the perfect fit, but would he move to Birmingham’s rivals? With the bad blood caused by McLeish, the blues could dig in and force him to look elsewhere.
Cost: £8 million.
Likely destinations: Villa, Sunderland, QPR.
Liam Ridgewell
Another Birmingham defender up for grabs, who can score goals too. Ridgewell can play at left back and centre back, which will count in his favour.
Cost: £6 million
Likely destinations: Everton, Sunderland, Newcastle, Stoke.
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