6 SUPER STARS SET TO DAZZLE FOOTBALL FANS
The summer spending spree could top £1billion as clubs jostle for the world’s top players. This year’s superstar signing by Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. But there are many other inspired additions who have not attracted as much attention so far. RICHARD JOLLY looks at the players who could have a big say in the Premier League title race this season
GRANIT XHAKA (ARSENAL £35m)
Even the normally stingy Arsene Wenger was happy to make Switzerland international Xhaka the second-most expensive footballer in Arsenal’s history. The 23-year-old, from Borussia Monchengladbach, could be the midfielder the Gunners need. A competitive character, who was sent off three times last term, he is a ball-winner whose passing skills mean he is also a playmaker.
N’GOLO KANTE (CHELSEA £32m)
The signing of last season might prove the best buy of this. Kante’s value has multiplied in 12 months. Leicester got him for £5.6million last year. Chelsea paid six times as much. They bought the midfielder who made the most tackles and the most interceptions in the league and whose energy turned his new club into champions. Could history repeat itself?
LEROY SANE (MAN CITY £37m)
“A huge talent,” said Pep Guardiola. And not when he signed Sane this week either, but last December. The new City boss admired the winger when he was a Schalke player. Now he has become the most expensive German footballer ever. Sane showed his ability and speed by tormenting Real Madrid at the Bernabeu last year. Premier League defences should consider themselves warned.
BARTOSZ KAPUSTKA (LEICESTER £7.5m)
Being champions has given Leicester City more pulling power. They are using it wisely to plan for the future – and even if last season’s PFA player of the year Riyad Mahrez goes, Kapustka (right) could be his successor on the wings. The 19-year-old sprung to prominence with bright displays for Poland in Euro 2016. He was outstanding in their victory over Northern Ireland and looks to have the skill and sharpness to succeed in England.
PIERRE-EMILE HOJBJERG (SOTON £12.8m)
A long name rather than a big one at the moment but the Denmark international has some famous fans. Hojbjerg caught Pep Guardiola’s eye in Germany and he wondered if the defensive midfielder (right) could be Bayern Munich’s answer to Barcelona and Spain star Sergio Busquets. Now the German champions have sold a passer who, at the tender age of just 21, should get better and better. Southampton certainly seems to think so, having snapped him up on a lengthy five-year contract.
HENRIKH MKHITARYAN (MAN UTD £26.3m)
Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba, assuming he signs, may hog the headlines but Mkhitaryan might prove Jose Mourinho’s pivotal purchase. The 27-year-old five-times Armenian player of the year, who could rival Wayne Rooney for the position as United’s No10 but is likelier to start on the right wing, scored 23 goals and created 32 more for Borussia Dortmund last season. He is quick, creative and elusive. No wonder he was voted the Bundesliga’s footballer of the year as well. And no wonder Mourinho was so keen to secure his signature. “He is magnificent the way he thinks about football, he thinks very quickly and it’s so sweet how he touches the ball,” said the Portuguese last month.