Sylvain Marveaux - Rennes
ANALYSIS : Europe's stars who might be heading to our shores before the start of next season in what promises to be a thrilling transfer window
1 - SYLVAIN MARVEAUX | Rennes, Winger, 25
The Rennes midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and is widely expected to join Liverpool on a free transfer.
Marveaux has been linked with a switch to the Merseysiders since the end of last year and said in March he was “very close” to signing an agreement to move to Anfield this summer.
The former France Under-21 international has been out injured since November after re-aggravating a groin injury during a Ligue 1 clash and, worryingly for Liverpool supporters, missed almost the entire 2008-09 season through injury.
Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli is believed to have played a pivotal role in convincing the 25-year-old to sign for the five-times European Cup winners, having previously been tracked by Manchester United and Chelsea.
Although lacking reliability, Marveaux will add to Liverpool’s options on the flanks. He tends to operate on the left wing, usually of a front three, and has been compared to Florent Malouda for his technique and power.
2 - MAMADOU SAKHO | Paris Saint-Germain, Defender, 21
The powerful centre-back has been the subject of strong interest from Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as Bayern Munich.
A potential move to the Premier League depends principally on two factors – whether Paris Saint-German qualify for next season’s Champions League (they are currently one place outside the qualification spots) and the French club’s willingness to strike a deal.
It has been reported that PSG value the 21-year-old, who recently signed a new contract that runs until 2014, at around the £20 million mark, which could rule out a deal this summer.
Liverpool and Arsenal are unlikely to want to go beyond £15m, despite Sakho’s versatility – he can also play left-back and central midfield – and his call-up to the national team last autumn.
3 - PARK CHU-YOUNG | Monaco, striker, 25
The South Korean forward is one of the biggest stars in the Far East and is one of the leading summer targets for Bolton boss Owen Coyle as he prepares to rebuild his strikeforce.
Chelsea, Liverpool and Fulham have previously been linked with the 25-year-old but have been put off by Monaco's £6m asking price, especially as he still has to complete military service in his home country unless he wins a medal at the 2012 Olympics.
A versatile attacker with an eye for goal, Park is desperate for a move to England and would welcome the opportunity to join close friend and international team-mate Lee Chung-Yong at the Reebok Stadium.
Whether he gets his summer switch could hinge on whether Monaco avoid relegation from Ligue 1, where they sit just one point above the drop zone with four games to play.
If Monaco are relegated, Park would be available for as little as £2m. That may re-ignite interest from Liverpool, whose sponsors Standard Chartered have encouraged the club to buy stars from the Far East.
4 - YANN M'VILA | Rennes, Midfielder, 20
The Rennes defensive midfielder is one of the most highly rated young talents in Europe and is being closely followed by Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
At a cost of at least £15m he may prove too much of a gamble for some of the clubs chasing his signature but the 20-year-old is keen on a summer move to one of the big European leagues.
A powerful and athletic midfield enforcer, M'Vila's style has drawn predictable comparisons to Patrick Vieira in his pomp and he has already earned eight caps for France having previously represented the national team at every youth level.
Liverpool have shown the most serious interest in his signature but director of football Damien Comolli would have to use his powers of persuasion to convince M'Vila to join a club that is not in the Champions League.
M'Vila's contract expires in 2014 so Rennes are under no pressure to sell him - but the player has suggested he would be interested in a move. "I still have to improve a lot, it could be at Rennes or somewhere else," he said last month.
5 - KEVIN GAMEIRO | Lorient, Striker, 24
The French striker's goalscoring form over the last two seasons has alerted a number of Premier League rivals to his potential availability this summer.
Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle and Sunderland are all in the market for someone who can regularly find the net and they have all scouted Gameiro on a number of occasions this term.
A natural finisher with good pace and dribbling ability, the 24-year-old has scored 20 goals in 33 appearances for Lorient so far this season and has been shortlisted for the Ligue 1 player of the year award.
Lorient are believed to be ready to sell their star man if they receive an offer of around £12m as Gameiro's contract expires in June 2012 and he has shown little interest in signing a new deal.
Newcastle and Sunderland's chances could be dented as the France international is believed to be determined to join a high-profile club and is willing to wait until he can leave on a free transfer if no such move materialises this summer.
From : Goal.com
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